Lesson 3 of 6

The reactivity series

Goal: Use the reactivity series to compare metals.

Puzzles for this lesson

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An ancient gold bracelet and three gold coins, still bright and shiny, half buried in soil

The reactivity series is a list of metals in order, from the most reactive to the least reactive.

  • Top: potassium, sodium and calcium react with cold water.
  • Middle: the metals from magnesium down to lead react with dilute acid.
  • Bottom: copper, silver and gold do not react with water or with dilute acid. Gold stays shiny for thousands of years.
  • Carbon and hydrogen are not metals. They are in the list as markers. Carbon sits between aluminium and zinc.

To remember the order: Please Stop Calling Me A Careless Zebra. Instead Learn How Copper Saves Gold.

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Key words in this lesson

Reactivity How readily a substance reacts

Reactivity series A list of metals in order of how reactive they are

Hydrogen The gas made when a metal reacts with water or an acid

For teachers: AQA 3.6.1 · Pearson Edexcel 26.1, 26.2, 26.4 · Cambridge 8Cc.03