Which observation is made when potassium reacts with water?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. It moves on the surface, melts, and burns with a lilac flame

  1. Step 1: is very exothermic.
  2. Step 2: The heat melts the potassium and ignites the hydrogen, which burns with a lilac flame.
Answer
It moves on the surface, melts, and burns with a lilac flame.
Why not the others: It sinks and reacts slowly without a flame: potassium is less dense than water and reacts vigorously. It stays still and forms a coloured precipitate: potassium floats and moves as hydrogen is released. It fizzes gently without melting: the reaction is violent enough to melt the metal.

Practise more Group chemistry.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) mock tests.