Which set of metals is known to react with water?

The set of metals known to react with water includes potassium, sodium, and lithium. These metals are alkali metals and are characterized by their highly reactive nature, especially with water. When they react with water, they form hydroxides and release hydrogen gas, often resulting in vigorous reactions that can be exothermic. For instance, sodium reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen, which is observed as bubbling and can even lead to flames if the reaction is sufficiently vigorous.

On the other hand, the other sets of metals listed do not react with water in the same manner. Iron and zinc, while they can react with acids and certain other solutions, typically do not react with water under normal conditions. Copper is even less reactive and does not react with water at all. Gold, platinum, and silver are noble metals known for their resistance to corrosion and do not react with water. Lastly, aluminum, tin, and lead do not readily react with water; while aluminum can react under specific conditions, a protective oxide layer usually prevents this from occurring in water. Hence, the only metals that commonly react with water are those from the alkali metals: potassium, sodium, and lithium.