The Reactivity Series Flashcards
In terms of the loss or gain of oxygen, describe what is meant by ‘oxidation’.
Oxidation is when a substance reacts with or gains oxygen
In terms of the loss or gain of oxygen, describe what is meant by ‘reduction’.
Reduction is when a substance loses oxygen
What is the reactivity series?
A list of metals in order of their reactivity, with the more reactive metals at the top
What determines the reactivity of a metal?
How easily it is oxidised, meaning how easily it loses its outer electrons
(the more easily oxidised a metal is, the more reactive it is)
State what happens to the metals’ resistance to oxidation as you go down the reactivity series.
The metals become more resistant to oxidation
List the metals that are less reactive than hydrogen in the reactivity series.
- Copper
- Silver
- Gold
List the metals that are less reactive than carbon in the reactivity series.
- Zinc
- Iron
- Tin
- Copper
- Silver
- Gold
