The Reactivity Series

Question 1

How can one test the reactivity of metals?

Answer 1

Reactions with water
Metal + Water -> Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen

Reactions with oxygen
Metal + Oxygen -> Metal Oxide

Reactions with dilute acids
Metal + Hydrochloric acid -> Salt + Hydrogen

Question 2

Define reactivity series

Answer 2

List of metals placed in order of their reactivity, with highest reactivity at the top, lowest at the bottom
Can be used to make predictions about the reactivity of metals

Question 3

What is the order of the Reactivity Series?

Answer 3

Potassium (K)
Sodium (Na)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Aluminium (Al)
(Carbon (C))
Zinc (Zn)
Iron (Fe)
Lead (Pb)
(Hydrogen (H))
Copper (Cu)
Silver (Ag)
Gold (Au)

Question 4

How do Potassium, Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium react with Oxygen, Water and Diluted HCl?

Answer 4

Oxygen: Burns very strongly in air to form oxide
Water: Reacts with cold water to form hydrogen
Diluted HCl: Reacts very strongly to give hydrogen

Question 5

How do Aluminium, Zinc and Iron react with Oxygen, Water and Diluted HCl?

Answer 5

Oxygen: Burns less strongly in air to form oxide
Water: Reacts with steam when heated to give hydrogen
Diluted HCl: Reacts less strongly to give hydrogen

Question 6

How do Lead and Copper react with Oxygen, Water and Diluted HCl?

Answer 6

Oxygen: Reacts slowly to form oxide layer when heated
Water: Does not react
Diluted HCl: Does not react

Question 7

How do Silver and Gold react with Oxygen, Water and Diluted HCl?

Answer 7

They do not react at all with oxygen, water or diluted HCl.