Edexcel iGCSE Chemistry -2.17 Order of Metal Reactivity- Study Notes- New Syllabus
Edexcel iGCSE Chemistry -2.17 Order of Metal Reactivity- Study Notes- New syllabus
Edexcel iGCSE Chemistry -2.17 Order of Metal Reactivity- Study Notes -Edexcel iGCSE Chemistry – per latest Syllabus.
Key Concepts:
2.17 know the order of reactivity of these metals:
potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, gold
2.17 Order of Reactivity of Common Metals
Metals can be arranged in a reactivity series based on how easily they lose electrons and form positive ions.
The more reactive the metal, the more readily it forms ions:
\( \mathrm{M \rightarrow M^{n+} + ne^-} \)
Required Reactivity Order (Most to Least Reactive)
| Position | Metal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Potassium |
| 2 | Sodium |
| 3 | Lithium |
| 4 | Calcium |
| 5 | Magnesium |
| 6 | Aluminium |
| 7 | Zinc |
| 8 | Iron |
| 9 | Copper |
| 10 | Silver |
| 11 | Gold |
Important Points
- Metals at the top react vigorously with water.
- Metals in the middle react with dilute acids.
- Metals at the bottom are very unreactive.
- Gold is one of the least reactive metals.
Memory Tip
A common mnemonic:
Please Stop Learning Chemistry Makes Awful Zombies In Creepy Silver Gold
Example 1 (Conceptual):
Which metal in the list is the least reactive?
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Gold.
It is at the bottom of the reactivity series.
Example 2 (Application):
Would copper displace zinc from zinc sulfate solution?
▶️ Answer/Explanation
No.
Copper is below zinc in the reactivity series.
It is less reactive.
Example 3 (Hard):
Explain fully how the reactivity series predicts whether a metal will react with water, acids or displace another metal.
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Metals high in the reactivity series lose electrons easily.
They react vigorously with water and acids.
Metals above hydrogen react with dilute acids to produce hydrogen gas.
A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its compound.
Metals low in the series do not react with water or dilute acids.
They cannot displace more reactive metals.
The position in the series therefore predicts chemical behaviour.