The reactivity series of metals

The following metals are listed in order of reactivity from most reactive to least reactive: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Aluminium Zinc Iron Lead Copper Mercury Silver Platinum Gold most reactive

least reactive

This list was drawn up by looking at the way the metals react with oxygen, water and acids:

The first six metals burn to form the metal oxide when they are heated in the presence of oxygen. Metals 7-9 react slowly and the bottom four metals react very slowly or not at all. The first three metals react with cold water, the next three react with steam, iron reacts reversibly with steam and the bottom six metals do not react with water or steam. The first three metals react violently with dilute acids, the next four react more and more slowly. Metals 8 - 11 react only with some concentrated acids and platinum and gold do not react at all with any acid.

Use the above to copy and complete the questions below with the metals names: 1. The six metals, which burn to form metal oxides when heated in oxygen, are called: . . . . . . . 2. The three metals which react slowly to form metal oxides when heated in oxygen, are called : . . . . 3. The four metals which react very slowly or not at all to form metal oxides when heated in oxygen, are called : . . . . . 4. These three metals react with cold water: . . . . 5. These three metals react with steam: . . . . 6. This metal reacts reversibly with steam: . . 7. These six metals do not react with water or steam: . . . . . . . 8. These three metals react violently with acids: . . . . 9. These four metals react more and more slowly with acids: . . . . . 10. These two metals do not react at all with any acid: . . .