Reactions of metals

• The reactivity of a metal is related to its tendency to form positive ions.
• Iron and aluminium are extracted from their ores in various ways.
• The reactivity series of metals shows metals in order of reactivity.
• When metals react, the metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions.
• The smallest part of an element that can exist is an atom.
• Electrons are subatomic particles, with a negative charge and a negligible mass relative to protons and neutrons.
• Ions are electrically charged particles, formed when an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons.
• The reactivity series is a list of elements in order of their reactivity, usually from most reactive to least reactive.
• Reactivity is a measure of how vigorously a substance will react, with the more reactive it is, the greater its reactivity and the more vigorous its reactions will be.
• In general, the more reactive a metal is, the more vigorous its reactions are and the more easily it loses electrons in reactions to form positive ions (cations).
• The table summarises some reactions of metals in the reactivity series, including hydrogen and carbon for comparison.