The reactivity series

• Potassium reacts very violently with water and hydrogen gas is given off

  potassium + water ---> potassium hydroxide + hydrogen
• Sodium reacts less violently with water than potassium, hydrogen gas is given off

  Sodium+ water ---> Sodium hydroxide + hydrogen
• lithium reacts less violently with water than potassium and sodium

  Lithium + water ---> lithium hydroxide + hydrogen
• Potassium, sodium, lithium = react very rapidly with water at room temperature

  Calcium = reacts quite rapidly with water at room temperature

  Magnesium, Zinc, iron, copper = no reaction with water at room temperature
• Potassium, sodium, lithium = Dangerously fast reaction with acids

  Calcium = extremely strong reaction

  magnesium = rapid reaction

  zinc = quite rapid reaction

  copper = No reaction
• When metals react they lose electrons and form positive ions 


  K → K + + e -
• The activity of a metal (how reactive they are) depends on it's ability to lose electrons and form a positive ions