The reactivity series

3.1 Properties & uses of metals

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The reactivity series

  1. Reaction with water and dilute acids

    1. Metals can be arranged in an order of their reactivity from how vigorous their reactivity from how vigorous their reactions are with water and dilute acids

      Order of reactivity Reaction with water Reaction with dilute acid
      Potassium K
      Sodium Na
      Lithium Li      		 Effervesce hydrogen, leaving an alkaline solution of metal hydroxide Explode
      Calcium Ca Effervesce hydrogen, forming a salt
      Magnesium Mg
      Aluminium Al
      (Carbon C)
      Zinc Zn
      Iron Fe      		 React with steam, effervescing hydrogen, forming the metal oxide
      Tin Sn
      Lead Pb      		 Slight reaction with steam React slowly with warm acid
      (Hydrogen H)
      Copper Cu
      Silver Ag
      Gold Au      		 No reaction, even with steam No reaction
    2. The non-metals hydrogen & carbon are often included in the reactivity series based on the reactions of metals with dilute acid and metal oxides with carbon

  2. Single displacement reactions

    1. Displacement reactions involving metals and their compounds in aqueous solutions establish positions in the reactivity series, wherein metals displace less reactive metals
    2. Displacement reactions can be described in terms of oxidation & reduction: the displacing metal is oxidised and the displaced metal is reduced; since both occur, these reactions are called redox reactions