Reactivity Series

• What is the focus of today's video?

  The reactivity series of metals and their reactions with acids and water
• What do metals have in common regarding their electron arrangement?


  They have electrons in the outermost shell that they want to get rid of
• What does the reactivity of a metal indicate?


  How easily it forms positive ions
• Which group of metals is the most reactive?

  Group 1 metals
• Why are carbon and hydrogen included in the reactivity series?


  As references to compare the metals against
• What happens when a metal reacts with an acid?


  It forms a salt and hydrogen gas
• What would potassium produce when reacted with hydrochloric acid?


  Potassium chloride and hydrogen
• How does the reactivity of metals change down the reactivity series?


  The reactions become less violent
• What is observed when magnesium reacts with acid?


  It produces lots of bubbles as the solid metal disappears
• What happens to zinc and iron when they react with acid?


  They produce fewer bubbles compared to magnesium
• How can we measure the reactivity of metals?


  By measuring the temperature change of the reactions
• What must be ensured for a fair test when comparing metal reactivity?


  Each metal sample must have the same mass and surface area
• What do metals form when they react with water?


  Metal hydroxides and hydrogen
• Which metals do not react with water?

  Zinc, iron, and copper
• What happens when magnesium is placed in iron sulfate solution?


  Magnesium displaces iron to form magnesium sulfate and iron
• What occurs when copper is added to iron sulfate solution?


  Nothing happens because copper is less reactive than iron
• What is the reactivity series of metals?


  • A list that ranks metals based on how easily they form positive ions
  • Most reactive: Group 1 metals
  • Less reactive: Group 2 metals
  • Least reactive: Transition metals
  • Includes carbon and hydrogen for comparison
• What are the steps to determine the reactivity of metals with acids and water?


  1. React metals with acids or water
  2. Observe the speed and violence of reactions
  3. Measure temperature changes
  4. Ensure fair testing conditions (same mass, surface area, acid concentration)
• What are the outcomes of displacement reactions involving metals?


  • More reactive metals can displace less reactive ones
  • Example: Magnesium displaces iron in iron sulfate
  • Example: Copper does not displace iron in iron sulfate