Reactivity Series

• Reactivity series

  The order of metals based on their reactivity with oxygen, water and acids
• Determining the reactivity series

  1. Reactions of metals with oxygen, water and acids

  2. Ordering the metals from most to least reactive
• Reactivity series

  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Lithium
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Aluminium
  • Zinc
  • Iron
  • Tin
  • Lead
  • Copper
  • Mercury
  • Silver
  • Gold
• Reactivity of metals

  Linked to their uses
• Metals used for building

  Need to have a low reactivity, otherwise they will corrode away
• What happens when metals react

  Metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions
• Reactivity series

  A chart showing metals in order of decreasing reactivity
• More reactive metals

  • Have more vigorous reactions
  • Lose electrons more easily to form positive ions (cations)
• The table summarises some reactions of metals in the reactivity series. Hydrogen and carbon are shown for comparison.
• Displacement reaction


  A chemical reaction where a more reactive element displaces (pushes out) a less reactive element from a compound and takes its place.