Reactivity Series
The reactivity series ranks metals in order of how readily they react, helping predict displacement and extraction methods.
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The reactivity series ranks metals in order of how readily they react, helping predict displacement and extraction methods.
- Potassium and sodium are very reactive
- Gold is very unreactive
- Carbon sits between aluminium and zinc
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Reactivity Series?
Within Chemistry, which covers atoms, bonding, reactions, the periodic table, organic chemistry and the chemistry of everyday life, this topic explains Reactivity Series. Chemistry links what you can see in the lab to the particles and bonds behind it, so each topic here shows that link in a model.
Check that you can explain Reactivity Series in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Reactivity Series helps you explain why substances behave as they do, from cleaning products and food to medicines.
Reactivity Series in detail
The reactivity series ranks metals in order of how readily they react, from potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium (very reactive) through zinc and iron to copper, silver and gold (least reactive). Carbon and hydrogen are often included for comparison.
More reactive metals react more vigorously with water and acid, form positive ions more easily and hold on to oxygen more strongly. The series predicts which metals can displace others from compounds and how a metal is best extracted from its ore, linking reactivity to everyday uses and to corrosion.
How the interactive helps you understand Reactivity Series
Watch the bar chart in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the bar chart responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Reactivity Series.
Real-life uses and examples
- Read a chemical equation or diagram and work out what Reactivity Series shows.
- Explain Reactivity Series in an exam by linking the particles involved to what you observe.
- Use Reactivity Series to explain what happens in a lab experiment and why.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Describing what happens without explaining the particles or bonds involved.
- Mixing up the names of substances or ions when you describe Reactivity Series.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Reactivity Series
What is Reactivity Series?
The reactivity series ranks metals in order of how readily they react, helping predict displacement and extraction methods.
What are the most important points about Reactivity Series?
The main points are: Potassium and sodium are very reactive; Gold is very unreactive; Carbon sits between aluminium and zinc.
Why is Reactivity Series useful?
Understanding Reactivity Series helps you explain why substances behave as they do, from cleaning products and food to medicines.
How can I practise Reactivity Series?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Reactivity Series?
Related topics in Chemistry include Oxidation and Reduction, Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions, Rates of Reaction.