The reactivity series
A ladder of metals.
Putting metals in order
We have tested metals with oxygen, water, acids and salt solutions.
If we list all the metals from most to least reactive, which is first?
What this lesson covers
The idea
The reactivity series lists metals in decreasing order of reactivity: K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, [H], Cu, Hg, Ag, Au, from most reactive to least reactive.
Putting metals in order
We have tested metals with oxygen, water, acids and salt solutions.
If we list all the metals from most to least reactive, which is first?
- Potassium
- Gold
- Copper
Read the series
Press Next step.
A list to use
The reactivity series puts metals in decreasing order of reactivity. Potassium comes first, then sodium, calcium and so on, down to gold. With this list we can compare any two metals: the one higher up is the more reactive.
The reactivity series lists metals in decreasing order of reactivity: K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, [H], Cu, Hg, Ag, Au, from most reactive to least reactive.
Notes
The reactivity series: K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, [H], Cu, Hg, Ag, Au, from most to least reactive.
Check yourself
Which metal is the most reactive in the series?
Which is the least reactive?
Compare lead and copper. Which is more reactive?
Counting from potassium as 1, what is the position of iron (Fe) in the series?
Answer: 7
K 1, Na 2, Ca 3, Mg 4, Al 5, Zn 6, Fe 7.
- Gold. Gold is at the bottom, the least reactive.
- Potassium — correct. Yes!
- Sodium. Sodium is second; potassium is at the top.
- Silver. Silver is second from the bottom; gold is last.
- Copper. Copper is below hydrogen, but silver and gold are less reactive still.
- Gold — correct. Yes!
- Lead, because it is above copper — correct. Yes!
- Copper, because it is below lead. In the series, lead is above hydrogen and copper is below it, so lead is more reactive.
- They are equally reactive. In the series, lead is above copper, so lead is more reactive.