reactivity series

• reactivity


  the rate at which a chemical substance tends to undergo a chemical reaction
• rust


  reddish or yellowish-brown flaking coating of iron (III) oxide that is formed on iron or steel by oxidation, especially in the presence of moisture
• barrier method


  a way of stopping rusting of iron or steel by coating them with a layer that keeps out oxygen and water
• galvanising


  coating iron or steel with a layer of zinc, which is a more reactive metal, to prevent rusting
• sacrificial protection


  when a piece of more reactive metal is attached to iron or steel it will corrode instead and the iron or steel will not rust
• oxidation


  when an element gains oxygen or loses electrons
• reduction


  when an element loses oxygen or gains electrons
• redox


  reduction and oxidation = when one element is oxidised, another must be reduced at the same time
• oxidising agent


  an element or compound that gives away oxygen or removes electrons
• reducing agent 


  an element of compound that removes oxygen or gives away electrons