Reactivity Series

• Reactivity


  How easily the metals form positive ions (+)
• Reactivity Series


  • Potassium (K)-most reactive/explosive (Group 1)
  • Sodium(Na)
  • Lithium(Li)
  • Calcium(Ca)-(Group 2)
  • Magnesium(Mg)-produces bubbles
  • Carbon(C)
  • Zinc(Zn)-(Transition metals)usually won't react
  • Iron(Fe)
  • Lead(Pb)
  • Hydrogen(H) - least reactive
  • Copper(Cu)
  • Silver(Ag)
  • Gold(Au)
• Carbon and Hydrogen are references
• Obtaining metals


  1. Potassium to Magnesium is obtained by electrolysis

  2. Zinc to Silver is with reduction to carbon
• Fair test


  • Constant variables: same surface area, same mass/volume
• Iron and steel undergoes rusting with oxygen and water
• Sacrificial protection


  Using a more reactive metal as coat to prevent rusting, such as painting, oiling, greasing and coating
• Reactions of metals


  • Reacts with either WATER(cold) or ACID(HCl) or STEAM
• Metals + water


  Metal hydroxide + Hydrogen
• Metals + acid


  Salt + Hydrogen
• Displacement Reactions


  More reactive metals can replace less reactive ones
• Metal displacement reactions


  Redox reactions - involve the transfer of electrons between two substances, with one substance losing electrons and the other gaining them
• Displacement Reaction


  • Mg + FeSO4 -> MgSO4 + Fe
• Heating metal carbonates


  Thermal stability can be tested by heating metal carbonates in a dry test tube and bubbling in lime water
• Lower the metal is in reactivity series


  Higher chance metal oxide will reduce
• Even though lead is above hydrogen it can be reduced by hydrogen as the heat applied is enough