Reactivity series

• Acids are substances that form hydrogen ions (H+)
• Alkalis are substances that form hydroxide ions (OH-)
• When a substance is oxidised, it always loses electrons. However it gains oxygen.
• When a substance is reduced, it gains electrons. However it loses oxygen.
• What is the most reactive element?

  Potassium
• What is the least reactive element?

  Platinum
• The reactivity series:

  Potassium (K)

  Sodium (Na)

  Lithium (Li)

  Calcium (Ca)

  Magnesium (Mg)

  Aluminium (Al)

  Carbon (C)

  Zinc (Zn)

  Iron (Fe)

  Tin

  Lead

  Hydrogen (H)

  Copper (Cu)

  Silver (Ag)

  Gold (Au)

  Platinum (Pt)
• Highly unreactive metals are called native metals.
• How reactive a substance is linked to how easy it is for the metal to form a positive ion.
• A metal can only displace another metal from its compound if it is more reactive.
• Ions that are unchanged during a chemical reaction are called spectator ions.
• Potassium reacts vigorously with water and very quickly. It also produces hydrogen gas which ignites instantly and creates a lilac flame.
• Sodium reacts with water to fizz rapidly, melt and form a ball that moves around the water surfac.
• When lithium reacts with water, it fizzes steadily and floats, becoming smaller until it eventually disappear.
• Most metals react with dilute acids to give a salt and hydrogen gas. The only metals unable to do this are copper, silver, gold and platinum.
• Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium fizz, give off hydrogen gas and leave an alkaline solution when reacting with water.
• Potassium, lithium, sodium and calcium explode when reacting with a dilute acid.
• Magnesium, aluminium, zinc and iron have a very slow reaction when reacting with water.
• Magnesium, aluminium, zinc and iron fizz, give off hydrogen gas and form a salt when reacting with a dilute acid.
• Tin and lead have a slight reaction with steam when reacting with water.
• Tin and lead react slowly with a warm and dilute acid.
• Copper, silver and gold have no reaction with water.
• Copper, silver and gold have no reaction with a dilute acid.