metals and their reactivity

• the reactivity series:

  potassium

  sodium

  lithium

  calcium

  magnesium

  carbon

  zinc

  iron

  hydrogen

  copper
• what are the most reactive metals?

  potassium , sodium, lithium, calcium
• metals reactivity is determined by how easily they lose electrons- forming positive ions
• the higher the metal is in the reactivity series the more easily it reacts with water or acid
• acid + metal -> salt + hydrogen
• what is oxidation?

  the gaining of oxygen
• what is reduction?

  the loss of oxygen
• metals higher than carbon are extracted by electrolysis
• metals below carbon are extracted by reduction using carbon