CAIE Chemistry IGCSE

9.4 Reactivity series

Flashcards

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What is the order of the reactivity series
and how can this order be deduced?

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What is the order of the reactivity series and how
can this order be deduced? Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
The order can be Magnesium
deduced by the Aluminium
(Carbon)
different metals Zinc
Iron
reactions with acid, (Hydrogen)
water and reduction Copper
Silver
with carbon. Gold

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Describe the reaction between
potassium and cold water

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Describe the reaction between potassium and cold
water
● The most violent/vigorous reaction with cold water
since it is at the top of the reactivity series
● Potassium melts and floats, moving rapidly on the
surface of the water. A lilac flame will also ignite
● Potassium + Water → Potassium hydroxide +
Hydrogen
● 2K (s) + 2H2O (l) → 2KOH (aq) + H2 (g)
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Describe the reaction between sodium
and cold water

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Describe the reaction between sodium and cold
water
● Less vigorous reaction with cold water than
potassium since it is below K in the reactivity series
● Sodium melts to form a ball that moves around on
the surface and fizzes rapidly before it disappears
● Sodium + Water → Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen
● 2Na (s) + 2H2O (l) → 2NaOH (aq) + H2 (g)

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Describe the reaction between calcium
and cold water

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Describe the reaction between calcium and cold
water
● Least vigorous reaction with cold water out of K and
Na since it is below both in the reactivity series
● Reaction is slower and less violent: metal sinks in
water and after an hour or so bubbles of hydrogen
gas can be seen on the surface of the metal.
● Calcium + Water → Calcium hydroxide + Hydrogen
● Ca (s) + 2H2O (g) → Ca(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g)
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Describe the reaction between
magnesium and steam

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Describe the reaction between magnesium and
steam
● Magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas will form
● Magnesium + Steam → Magnesium oxide +
Hydrogen
● Mg (s) + H2O (g) → MgO (s) + H2 (g)

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Describe the reaction between the 3
most reactive metals in the reactivity
series with dilute HCl

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Describe the reaction between the 3 most reactive
metals in the reactivity series with dilute HCl
Potassium, sodium and calcium are very
reactive so this reaction can ignite, causing an
explosion, so is too dangerous to be done in the
school lab.

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Which metals in the reactivity series will
react with dilute HCl?

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Which metals in the reactivity series will react with
dilute HCl?
● Only metals above hydrogen will react with
dilute acids.
● Magnesium- fast reaction
● Zinc and Iron- slightly fast reaction
● Copper, silver and gold- no reaction as below
hydrogen in the reactivity series
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How could the order of reactivity be
deduced from experimental results?

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How could the order of reactivity be deduced from
experimental results?
● In a displacement reaction, the more reactive metal will
replace the less reactive metal in a compound
● A less vigorous and slow reaction will usually mean a
lower reactivity whereas lots of effervescence
(bubbles/fizzing) and quicker reactions are usually higher
in the reactivity series
● Only metals above hydrogen will react with dilute acids
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What is meant by the reactivity of
metals?
(extended only)

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What is meant by the reactivity of metals?
(extended only)
The tendency of a metal atom to lose
electrons and form its positive ion.

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Describe the reaction between iron and
calcium oxide
(extended only)

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Describe the reaction between iron and calcium
oxide (extended only)
● No reaction will occur
● Iron is lower than calcium in the reactivity
series so cannot displace calcium

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Describe the reaction between sodium
and magnesium oxide
(extended only)

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Describe the reaction between sodium and
magnesium oxide (extended only)
● Sodium will displace magnesium to form
sodium oxide
● Sodium is higher in the reactivity series than
magnesium

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Why doesn’t aluminium appear to
undergo oxidation?
(extended only)

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Why doesn’t aluminium appear to undergo
oxidation? (extended only)

Aluminium reacts with oxygen in the air to

form aluminium oxide (Al2O3). This very
unreactive oxide coats the surface of the
metal, preventing any further oxidation.

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