Identify two metals in the following list that corrode easily when exposed to air: calcium gold mercury sodium - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question B - 2015

The metals from the list that corrode easily when exposed to air are calcium and sodium.

• Calcium belongs to the alkaline earth metals group and is reactive with air, forming calcium oxide.
• Sodium is an alkali metal that reacts vigorously with oxygen in the air, leading to the formation of sodium oxide.

Both of these metals can tarnish quickly and should be stored in airtight conditions to prevent corrosion.