Reactivity of Metals

Reactivity of metals

• Reactivity - how easily a metal forms positive ions

• The metals that lose their electrons and form cations most easily are the most reactive

• The metals that don’t give up their electrons to form cations so easily + are more resistant to oxidation are the metals less reactive

How metals react with acids (here, dilute hydrochloric acid) tells you about their reactivity

• The more reactive the metal is, the faster the reaction with the acid will go

• Very reactive metals (e.g. magnesium) will fizz vigorously

• Less reactive metals (e.g. zinc) will bubble a bit

• Unreactibe metals (e.g. copper)

• The more reactive the metal is → the more hydrogen has been made in the time period → the louder the squeaky pop

How metals react with water tells you about their reactivity

• Very reactive metals like potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium will react vigorously with water

  Metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen

• Less reactive metals like zinc and iron won’t react as much with cold water, but they will react with steam

  Less reactive metals + steam → metal oxide + hydrogen

• Copper won’t react with either water or steam

Reactivity series order

Potassium, Sodium, Lithium, Calcium, Magnesium, (Carbon), Aluminium, Zinc, Iron, (Hydrogen), Copper, Silver, Gold

Reactivity Series Rememberence

Please Stop Calling Me A Careless Zebra Instead Try Learning How Copper Saves Gold