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Reactivity Series

The reactivity series is the arrangement of metals in decreasing order of their reactivity.

In one line: Higher in the series means stronger in reaction.

Understand it

This order helps us compare how easily different metals react with oxygen, water, acids, and salt solutions. A more reactive metal can often displace a less reactive metal from its compound. The series is very useful in prediction questions and displacement reactions.

Example

Zinc can displace copper from copper sulphate solution because zinc is more reactive than copper.

Rule to remember

Rule: a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound or salt solution.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

1If iron is placed in copper sulphate solution, iron displaces copper because iron is above copper in the reactivity series.
2Copper is deposited and the solution changes colour.

Method you can reuse

1Identify both metals.
2Compare their positions in the reactivity series.
3The metal higher in the series is more reactive.
4Use that order to predict displacement, storage, or extraction.

Visual tip

A vertical reactivity series chart with potassium at the top and gold near the bottom is useful for revision.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

Zinc is added to copper sulphate solution and copper is seen to form. What does this tell you about zinc and copper in the reactivity series?

Think first, then show answer

Zinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from its salt solution and forms copper metal.

Common wrong answer

A common wrong answer is to think the metal that appears later in the sentence is more reactive, instead of checking the series order.

Don't mix this up

Students often memorise the order but forget how to use it for displacement and extraction questions.

Exam tip

Always compare the position of two metals before predicting displacement.