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22 Jan 2026
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GCSE Chemistry: Guide to Unit 4 - Chemical Changes
Erin
@erin_agwa
1 / 3
Reactions of Metals
Metal reactivity determines how vigorously metals react with oxygen, water, and acids. When metals react with oxygen, they form metal oxides - think about how iron rusts when exposed to air and moisture.
The most reactive metals like potassium and sodium react explosively with water, producing metal hydroxides (which are alkaline) and hydrogen gas. You can test for hydrogen because it burns with a distinctive "pop" sound when lit.
Acids react with metals to produce salts and hydrogen gas. The type of salt depends on the acid used: hydrochloric acid makes chlorides, sulfuric acid makes sulfates, and nitric acid makes nitrates. For example, zinc + hydrochloric acid → zinc chloride + hydrogen.
Remember: The reactivity series goes potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper (most to least reactive). Carbon and hydrogen fit between zinc and iron.
Metal compounds also react with acids. Metal oxides and carbonates both react with acids, but carbonates also produce carbon dioxide gas, which turns limewater cloudy - a useful test you'll need to remember.
Metal Extraction and Key Reactions
Unreactive metals like gold are found naturally as pure elements in the Earth. More reactive metals need to be extracted from their compounds using reduction with carbon, which displaces oxygen from metal oxides.
OILRIG is your key memory tool: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of electrons). When carbon removes oxygen from a metal oxide, the metal is reduced whilst carbon is oxidised.
Neutralisation happens when acids and alkalis react together, moving the pH closer to 7. Strong acids like HCl completely ionise in water, whilst weak acids like citric acid only partially ionise. The key reaction is: H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O.
Essential equation: At the heart of neutralisation is hydrogen ions from acids combining with hydroxide ions from alkalis to make water.
Electrolysis uses electricity to split ionic compounds. The compound (called the electrolyte) must be molten or dissolved so ions can move. Positive ions (cations) go to the negative electrode (cathode), whilst negative ions (anions) go to the positive electrode (anode).
Aluminium Extraction and Energy Changes
Aluminium extraction is a perfect example of electrolysis in action. Aluminium oxide is mixed with cryolite to help disrupt the lattice structure, making the process more efficient.
This process is incredibly expensive because it requires massive amounts of energy to melt the aluminium oxide and run the electrical current. The carbon electrodes also wear away and need replacing regularly.
Energy transfers happen in every chemical reaction, and energy is always conserved. Exothermic reactions release energy to the surroundings (heating them up) - think combustion, oxidation, and neutralisation reactions. These are used in self-heating cans and hand warmers.
Energy tip: If a reaction makes things warmer, it's exothermic. If it makes things cooler, it's endothermic.
Endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings, cooling them down. Examples include thermal decomposition (like heating copper carbonate), mixing citric acid with sodium hydrogencarbonate, and photosynthesis in plants.
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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GCSE Chemistry: Guide to Unit 4 - Chemical Changes
Erin
@erin_agwa
Chemical changes are everywhere around you - from the rust forming on bikes to the energy released when you burn fuel. Understanding how metals react, how we extract them, and how energy moves during reactions will help you make sense... Show more
Reactions of Metals
Metal reactivity determines how vigorously metals react with oxygen, water, and acids. When metals react with oxygen, they form metal oxides - think about how iron rusts when exposed to air and moisture.
The most reactive metals like potassium and sodium react explosively with water, producing metal hydroxides (which are alkaline) and hydrogen gas. You can test for hydrogen because it burns with a distinctive "pop" sound when lit.
Acids react with metals to produce salts and hydrogen gas. The type of salt depends on the acid used: hydrochloric acid makes chlorides, sulfuric acid makes sulfates, and nitric acid makes nitrates. For example, zinc + hydrochloric acid → zinc chloride + hydrogen.
Remember: The reactivity series goes potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper (most to least reactive). Carbon and hydrogen fit between zinc and iron.
Metal compounds also react with acids. Metal oxides and carbonates both react with acids, but carbonates also produce carbon dioxide gas, which turns limewater cloudy - a useful test you'll need to remember.
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Metal Extraction and Key Reactions
Unreactive metals like gold are found naturally as pure elements in the Earth. More reactive metals need to be extracted from their compounds using reduction with carbon, which displaces oxygen from metal oxides.
OILRIG is your key memory tool: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of electrons). When carbon removes oxygen from a metal oxide, the metal is reduced whilst carbon is oxidised.
Neutralisation happens when acids and alkalis react together, moving the pH closer to 7. Strong acids like HCl completely ionise in water, whilst weak acids like citric acid only partially ionise. The key reaction is: H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O.
Essential equation: At the heart of neutralisation is hydrogen ions from acids combining with hydroxide ions from alkalis to make water.
Electrolysis uses electricity to split ionic compounds. The compound (called the electrolyte) must be molten or dissolved so ions can move. Positive ions (cations) go to the negative electrode (cathode), whilst negative ions (anions) go to the positive electrode (anode).
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Aluminium Extraction and Energy Changes
Aluminium extraction is a perfect example of electrolysis in action. Aluminium oxide is mixed with cryolite to help disrupt the lattice structure, making the process more efficient.
This process is incredibly expensive because it requires massive amounts of energy to melt the aluminium oxide and run the electrical current. The carbon electrodes also wear away and need replacing regularly.
Energy transfers happen in every chemical reaction, and energy is always conserved. Exothermic reactions release energy to the surroundings (heating them up) - think combustion, oxidation, and neutralisation reactions. These are used in self-heating cans and hand warmers.
Energy tip: If a reaction makes things warmer, it's exothermic. If it makes things cooler, it's endothermic.
Endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings, cooling them down. Examples include thermal decomposition (like heating copper carbonate), mixing citric acid with sodium hydrogencarbonate, and photosynthesis in plants.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user