The Reactivity Series

metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen

potassium

sodium → reacts very rapidly with water at room temperature

lithium

calcium → reacts quite rapidly with water at room temperature

magnesium

zinc

iron → no reaction with water at room temperature

copper

With dilute acids

potassium

sodium → dangerously fast reaction with acids

lithium

calcium → extremely vigorous reaction

magnesium → rapid reaction

zinc → quite rapid reaction

iron → quite slow reaction

copper → no reaction

Reactivity series

Potassium Please

Sodium Stop

Calcium Calling

Magnesium Me

Aluminium A

Carbon Careless

Zinc Zebra

Iron Instead

Tin Try

Lead Learning

Hydrogen How

Copper Copper

Silver Saves

Gold Gold

• When metals react they lose electrons and form a positive ion

• The reactivity of a metal depends on its ability to lose electrons and form a positive ion