the reactivity series

• when metals react with other substances, metal atoms form positive ions.
• the reactivity series refers to the ability for a metal atom to form positive ions.
• the reactivity series:

  • potassium
  • sodium
  • calcium
  • magnesium
  • aluminium
  • (carbon)
  • zinc
  • iron
  • tin
  • lead
  • (hydrogen)
  • copper
  • silver
  • gold
  • platinum
• the non metals in the reactivity series are hydrogen and carbon.
• the more reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from a compound.
• metals that have a violent reaction with cold water:

  • potassium
  • sodium
  • lithium
• metals that have a fast reaction with cold water:

  • calcium
• metals that have a very slow reaction with cold water:

  • magnesium
• metals that usually have no reaction with cold water:

  • zinc
• metals that rust slowly when reacting to cold water:

  • iron
• metals that have no reaction to cold water:

  • copper
  • gold
  • silver
  • platinum
• metals that have a violent reaction with dilute acids:

  • potassium
  • sodium
  • lithium
• metals that have a rapid reaction with dilute acids:

  • calcium
  • magnesium
• metals that have a slow reaction with dilute acids:

  • zinc
  • iron
• metals that have no reaction with dilute acids:

  • copper
  • gold
  • silver
  • platinum