reactivity series

• reactivity series

  • potassium
  • sodium
  • lithium
  • calcium
  • magnesium
  • aluminium
  • carbon
  • zinc
  • iron
  • hydrogen
  • copper
  • silver
  • gold
  • platinum
• potassium, sodium, lithium with water


  very vigorous reaction
• calcium with water 


  reacts gently with cold water
• magnesium with water

  • no reaction with cold water
  • reacts with steam
• aluminium with water


  slow reaction with steam
• zinc, iron, lead with water


  slowly react with steam
• copper, silver, gold, platinum with water or dilute acids


  no reaction
• potassium, sodium, lithium with dilute acids


  too reactive to add safely to acids
• calcium with dilute acids


  very reactive only use very dilute acids
• magnesium with dilute acids


  reacts vigorously with cold acid, gets very hot
• aluminium with dilute acid


  slow start, vigorous after warming
• zinc, iron with dilute acid


  react slowly with cold acid, better with warm acid