The reactivity series

• Reactivity Series


  A list of metals in order of their reactivity towards other substances
• Reactivity Series


  • Determined by how easily metals lose electrons to form positive ions
  • The higher a metal is in the reactivity series, the more easily it forms positive ions
• Metals reacting with water or acid

  1. Lose electrons

  2. Form positive ions

  3. Higher in reactivity series, more easily reacts with water or acid
• Reactivity Series


  Order of metals from most reactive to least reactive when reacting with acid or water
• Reactivity Series


  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Lithium
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Carbon
  • Zinc
  • Iron
  • Copper
  • Hydrogen
• Metals reacting with acids

  Produce a salt and hydrogen gas
• Reaction speed with acids

  • Indicated by rate of hydrogen bubbles given off
  • More reactive metals react faster and more violently
  • Less reactive metals react slower and less violently
• Reaction with dilute acids

  • Magnesium reacts vigorously
  • Zinc and iron react slowly, but more strongly if heated
• Acid + Metal


  Salt + Hydrogen
• You can investigate reactivity by measuring temperature change of reaction with acid or water over time
• Metals reacting with water

  1. Metal + Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen

  2. E.g. Ca + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2 + H2
• Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium will react with water, less reactive metals like zinc, iron and copper won't