AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry: The reactivity series
Chemical changes · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.4.1.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "The reactivity series", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What type of ion do metal atoms form when metals react with other substances?
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Positive ions (cations) — the metal atoms lose electrons.
The reactivity of a metal is related to its tendency to form ? ions.
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positive
What is a reactivity series?
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A list of metals arranged in order of their reactivity, most reactive first.
Which two reactions are used to place metals in order of reactivity?
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Their reactions with water and with dilute acids (at room temperature).
Which two non-metals are often included in the reactivity series?
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Hydrogen and carbon.
A more reactive metal can ? a less reactive metal from a compound.
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displace
Which is the most reactive metal in the GCSE reactivity series (K, Na, Li, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu)?
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Potassium.
Which is the least reactive metal in the GCSE reactivity series (K, Na, Li, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu)?
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Copper.
Which is more reactive: zinc or iron?
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Zinc — it sits above iron in the reactivity series.
Does copper react with dilute acids at room temperature?
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No — copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series, so it cannot displace hydrogen from an acid.
Why does potassium react more vigorously with water than magnesium?
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Potassium atoms lose their outer electron and form positive ions much more readily than magnesium atoms.
How can an order of reactivity for metals be deduced experimentally?
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By comparing how vigorously each metal reacts with water or dilute acid (e.g. rate of bubbling) — the more vigorous the reaction, the more reactive the metal.
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