Reactivity series of metals: order, chart and mnemonic
The reactivity series ranks metals from most to least reactive, based on how they react with water and acids. Use it to predict displacement reactions and to explain how each metal is extracted from its ore.
- PotassiumReacts violently with cold water
- SodiumReacts vigorously with cold water
- LithiumReacts steadily with cold water
- CalciumReacts slowly with cold water
- MagnesiumReacts with steam and dilute acids
- AluminumReacts with dilute acids (oxide layer slows it)
- CarbonReference: reduces metal oxides below it
- ZincReacts with dilute acids
- IronReacts slowly with dilute acids
- TinReacts very slowly with dilute acids
- LeadReacts very slowly with dilute acids
- HydrogenReference: metals above displace hydrogen from acids
- CopperDoes not react with dilute acids
- SilverDoes not react with dilute acids
- GoldVery unreactive
- PlatinumVery unreactive
Mnemonic: Please Send Lions, Cats, Monkeys And Cute Zebras Into Hot Countries Signed Gordon.
The order of the series
From most to least reactive: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, carbon, zinc, iron, tin, lead, hydrogen, copper, silver, gold and platinum. Carbon and hydrogen are nonmetals included as reference points. The mnemonic Please Send Lions, Cats, Monkeys And Cute Zebras Into Hot Countries Signed Gordon covers the main members but skips tin, lead and platinum.
How to read it
The note beside each element describes how it behaves. Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium react with cold water, potassium violently. Lower down, metals need steam or acid to react, and copper, silver, gold and platinum do not release hydrogen from dilute acids at all. Aluminum often seems unreactive because a thin, tough layer of aluminum oxide protects its surface.
What the series predicts
Displacement: a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a solution of its compound. Zinc in blue copper(II) sulfate solution becomes coated with copper as the blue color fades: Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu. Copper in zinc sulfate solution does nothing, because copper is below zinc.
Acids: metals above hydrogen react with dilute acids such as hydrochloric acid to give a salt and hydrogen gas, for example Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂. Extraction: metals below carbon, such as iron and lead, can be extracted by heating their oxides with carbon, while metals above carbon, such as aluminum, are extracted by electrolysis.
Worked example
Will an iron nail react with copper(II) sulfate solution? Iron is above copper, so yes: Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu, and the nail gains a reddish-brown coat of copper. Will silver react with dilute hydrochloric acid? Silver is below hydrogen, so no hydrogen forms and nothing visible happens.
FAQ
What is the most reactive metal in the reactivity series?
Potassium is the most reactive metal in this series; it reacts violently with cold water and the hydrogen released catches fire. Rubidium and cesium, further down group 1, are even more reactive but are rarely used in schools.
Why are carbon and hydrogen in the reactivity series?
They are reference points, not metals. Carbon shows which metal oxides can be reduced by heating with carbon, and hydrogen shows which metals release hydrogen gas from dilute acids.
What is a displacement reaction?
A more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive one in a compound. For example, magnesium displaces copper from copper(II) sulfate solution: Mg + CuSO₄ → MgSO₄ + Cu.