the reactivity series

reactivity

the ease at which a chemical substance takes part in a chemical reaction

reactivity series of metals

the order of metals starting with most reactive based on experiments with different substances

reactions with water

potassium, sodium and calcium react vigorously with cold water and may catch fire…metal+water=metal hydroxide+hydrogen

reactions with dilute hydrochloric acid

metal+hydrochloric acid=metal chloride+hydrogen

reactions with oxygen in air

form metal oxide

reactive metals and oxygen

burn with a bright flame forming soluble metal oxides in the form of white ash

lithium flame

red

magnesium flame

yellow

potassium flame

purple

calcium flame

orange

moderately reactive metals and oxygen

form insoluble metal oxides in white ash

iron and oxygen

form rust which is iron oxide

copper and oxygen

form a layer of black copper oxide

aluminium and oxygen

aluminium oxide layer covers the surface preventing further reactions

carbon

has the ability to displace metals