2.32 understand oxidation and reduction as the addition and removal of oxygen respectively

Oxidation is the gain of oxygen, reduction is the loss of oxygen.

NOTE: don't get this confused with the loss and gain of electrons... oxidation is loss of electrons and reduction is gain (O.I.L.R.I.G). Think of it as OXidation is gain ox OXygen (therefore, reduction must be loss)

2.31 deduce the position of a metal within the reactivity series using displacement reactions between metals and their oxides, and between metals and their salts in aqueous solutions

Any metal higher in the reactivity series will displace one lower down from its oxide . For example...

to find out whether magnesium or copper is more reactive (therefore, higher in the series) just add magnesium to copper(II) oxide. The magnesium will displace the copper, meaning the magnesium is more reactive than the copper. Alternatively, you could add copper to magnesium oxide, No reaction would take place. This is because the copper is less reactive that magnesium (therefore, lower down in the series) as it will not displace the magnesium.

This must mean magnesium is above copper in the reactivity series.

It's the same thing with metals and a solution of their salt (the more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal). For example...

To find out whether zinc or copper is more reactive, add zinc to a solution of copper (II) sulphate. The zinc will displace the copper (as it is more reactive), meaning it is positioned higher than copper in the reactivity series.

NOTE: in this particular reaction, the blue colour of the copper (II) sulphate solution fades as colourless zinc sulphate solution is formed. 

2.36 understand the sacrificial protection of iron in terms of the reactivity series

The sacrificial method involves placing a more reactive metal (such as zinc) with the iron. Water and oxygen then react with the sacrificial metal rather than the iron (as its more reactive than the iron).

Zinc is often used as it is more reactive than iron, so zinc will be oxidised instead of iron. A coating of zinc could be sprayed onto the iron object (galvanising). Another method is to bolt big blocks of zinc onto the iron (e.g. a ships hull of under groups iron pipes).

2.35 describe how the rusting of irony be prevented by grease, oil, paint, plastic and galvanising

These all create a 'barrier' around the iron, stopping water and/or oxygen from reaching it.

Paint/plastic can also be decorative and can be used on big or small structures (its versatile) and can be decorative (:

Grease/oil can only be used on moving parts e.g. bike chains

2.34 describe the conditions under which iron rusts

Rusting ONLY occurs when iron is in contact with both water and oxygen (from the air). The chemical reaction that is taking place is oxidation of iron to form iron(III) oxide (oxidation reaction), water then bonds to the iron(III) oxide and forms hydrated iron(III) oxide - this is rust.

NOTE: I'm not sure if we need the word equation so here it is just incase...

iron + oxygen ---> iron(III) oxide

iron(III) oxide + water ---> hydrated iron(III) oxide

2.33 understand the terms redox, oxidising agent, reducing agent

The oxidising agent is the element that gets reduced, the reducing agent is the element that gets oxidised. Reactions where oxidation and reduction take place are known as 'redox reactions' (REDuctionOXidation)

2.30 describe how reactions with water and dilute acids can be used to deduce the following order of reactivity: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper

Metals high up in the series (potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium) react very vigorous with water.

Metals in the middle (magnesium, zinc and iron) react with steam but don't react with cold water.

Copper won't react with either steam or water.

The more reactive the element is with water and dilute acid, the further up the series the element is positioned.

2.29 understand that metals can be arranged in a reactivity series based on the reactions of the metals and their compounds: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, copper, silver and gold

The 'reactivity series' lists metals in order of their reactivity with other substances. The most reactive is at the top, while the least reactive is at the bottom. This is the order...

Potassium

Sodium

Lithium

Calcium

Magnesium

Aluminium

Zinc

Iron

Copper

Silver

Gold

KEY:

Super reactive

Fairly reactive

A little bit reactive

Not really at all reactive (basically inert)

NOTE: we need to learn this :( The best way is with an mnemonic. I use Peter.Says.Lions.Cats.Mice.And.Zebras.In.Cages.Suffer.Greatly but if you have another please comment!