4.1.1 The reactivity series

• Reactivity in metals refers to their tendency to lose electrons
• Arrange the following metals in order of decreasing reactivity based on the reactivity series: iron, zinc, copper, magnesium

  1️⃣ Magnesium

  2️⃣ Zinc

  3️⃣ Iron

  4️⃣ Copper
• The reactivity series orders metals from most reactive, such as sodium, to least reactive, such as gold
• What happens to the ability of metals to lose electrons as you move down the reactivity series?

  Decreases
• What is the chemical symbol for zinc?

  Zn
• What is the chemical symbol for silver?

  Ag
• Metals at the top of the reactivity series readily lose electrons.


  True
• A displacement reaction occurs when a more reactive metal takes the place of a less reactive metal in a compound
• If iron is placed in copper sulfate, it forms iron sulfate and copper
• The reactivity series is an ordered list of metals based on their reactivity
• Which chemical property is associated with metals at the high end of the reactivity series?

  React vigorously with acids
• Gold is more reactive than iron in the reactivity series.

  False
• Hydrogen is included in the reactivity series to compare its relative reactivity with metals.


  True
• Potassium forms stable positive ions because it loses electrons easily.


  True
• What is the chemical symbol for carbon?

  C
• Which metal is highly stable in its metallic form and reluctant to lose electrons?

  Gold
• In a displacement reaction, the more reactive metal forms positive ions.


  True
• Iron is more reactive than copper in the reactivity series.

  True
• High reactivity metals readily lose electrons and react vigorously with water and acids.

  True
• Gold is the least reactive metal in the reactivity series.

  True
• Hydrogen is included in the reactivity series to compare its reactivity with metals.


  True
• The ability of a metal to lose electrons decreases as you move down the reactivity series
• A displacement reaction occurs when a more reactive metal takes the place of a less reactive metal in a compound
• The most reactive metal in the reactivity series is potassium
• Hydrogen appears in the reactivity series between iron and copper
• Iron has the chemical symbol Fe.


  True
• Order the following metals based on their ability to lose electrons, from easiest to most difficult:

  1️⃣ Potassium

  2️⃣ Iron

  3️⃣ Gold
• What is the reactivity series based on?

  Tendency to lose electrons
• The reactivity series lists metals from most to least reactive
• Match the metal with its reactivity and tendency to form positive ions.

  Iron (Fe) ↔️ More Reactive, Strong

  Copper (Cu) ↔️ Less Reactive, Weaker
• The reactivity series orders metals from most reactive to least reactive.
• Which metal is placed between iron and copper in the reactivity series?

  Hydrogen
• Arrange the following metals in order of reactivity, from most to least reactive.

  1️⃣ Potassium

  2️⃣ Sodium

  3️⃣ Calcium

  4️⃣ Magnesium

  5️⃣ Aluminum

  6️⃣ Zinc
• Metals at the bottom of the reactivity series are more stable and less likely to form ions.

  True
• Copper (Cu) can displace iron (Fe) from iron sulfate (FeSO₄) solution.

  False
• What are two examples of metals at the top of the reactivity series?

  Sodium and potassium
• Match the metal reactivity with its chemical properties:

  High reactivity ↔️ Readily lose electrons, react vigorously with water

  Low reactivity ↔️ Reluctant to lose electrons, form stable compounds
• What is the chemical symbol for magnesium?

  Mg
• The reactivity series shows a trend of decreasing reactivity from top
• What determines whether a displacement reaction will occur?

  The reactivity series