The reactivity series

• Reactions between metals and water

  1. Produce metal hydroxide

  2. Produce hydrogen gas
• Reactivity of metals with water

  • Potassium - reacts very rapidly
  • Sodium - reacts less rapidly than potassium
  • Lithium - reacts more slowly than potassium or sodium
  • Calcium - reacts quite rapidly
  • Magnesium, zinc, iron, copper - no reaction
• Reactivity of metals with dilute acids

  • Potassium, sodium, lithium - react too vigorously, dangerous
  • Calcium - reacts extremely vigorously
  • Magnesium - reacts rapidly
  • Zinc - reacts quite rapidly, less than magnesium
  • Iron - reacts slowly
  • Copper - does not react
• Reactivity series


  Order of elements based on their reactivity, used to predict reactions
• Scientists usually include carbon and hydrogen in the reactivity series as they are used a lot in chemistry
• You are not expected to memorize the reactivity series, but you could be asked to construct one from data on how elements react
• When metals react


  They lose electrons and form positive ions
• Reactivity of metals


  Depends on their ability to lose electrons and form positive ions
• Reactivity of metals


  • Metals at the top of the series (e.g. potassium) readily form positive ions
  • Metals at the bottom of the series (e.g. copper) are much less likely to form positive ions