6.

5 Reactivity Series
The reactivity series of
metals, also known as the
activity series, refers to the
arrangement of metals in the
descending order of their
reactivities.
The reactivity series of metals is a chart
listing metals in order of decreasing
reactivity. In general, the more reactive a
metal is: the more vigorously it reacts
with other substances, the more easily it
loses electrons to form positive ions
(cations)
Reactions of metals with water

Potassium- reacts vigorously with water,

hydrogen catches fire
Calcium - reacts steadily with cold water, reaction
mixture warms up
Magnesium - reacts slowly with cold water
Zinc - does not react with cold water at all
Reactions of metals with dilute acids

Potassium, Sodium - reacts very vigorously with

dilute acid
Calcium - reacts vigorously with dilute acid
Magnesium - reacts rapidly with dilute acid
Zinc - reacts slowly with dilute acid
Copper - does not react with dilute acid at all
Reactions of metals with oxygen
Potassium, Sodium - reacts very quickly with
oxygen
Calcium - burn rapidly with red flame
Magnesium - burns quickly with a white flame
Copper - does not burn when heated , forms a
dull black layer of copper oxide
Iron - does not burn when heated , forms a dull
black layer of iron oxide
Silver, Gold - do not react with oxygen at all