4.1.2 The Reactivity Series

• What is the reactivity series?

  A list of metals arranged in order of their reactivity.
• What are the elements in the reactivity series?

  The elements in the reactivity series are: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, carbon, zinc, iron, tin, lead, hydrogen, copper, silver, gold and platinum.
• What do metal atoms form when metals react?

  Positive ions.
• What is the reactivity of a metal determined by?

  Its tendency to form positive ions.
• A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from a what?

  Compound.
• Reacting a metal with water produces what?

  A metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
• Which three elements react very rapidly with water at room temperature?

  Potassium, sodium and lithium.
• What element reacts quite rapidly with water at room temperature?

  Calcium.
• Do the elements below calcium in the reactivity series react with water?

  No.
• Which three elements have a dangerously fast reaction with acids?

  Potassium, sodium and lithium.
• Which element has an extremely vigorous reaction with acids?

  Calcium.
• Which element has a rapid reaction with acids?

  Magnesium.
• Which element has no reaction with acids?

  Copper.