wunder beta⚗️ The Reactivity Series
Rank metals from wildly reactive to rock-steady, and watch reactive metals shove others aside.
What you’ll learn
- Ranking the MetalsOrder common metals in the reactivity series and describe how reactive and unreactive metals differ.The reactivity series lists metals from most to least reactive: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, and gold. Reactive metals like potassium and sodium react vigorously with water and acid, while unreactive metals like gold resist corrosion, which is why gold jewellery lasts.
- Displacement ReactionsExplain displacement reactions and predict them using the reactivity series.In a displacement reaction, a more reactive metal takes the place of a less reactive metal in its compound. For example, iron displaces copper from copper sulfate, and magnesium displaces copper too. A metal's reactivity also decides its uses and how it is extracted, by electrolysis for reactive metals and by heating with carbon for less reactive ones.
Questions this course answers
Which metal is the most reactive in this list?
Potassium sits at the top of the reactivity series, reacting far more violently than iron, copper, or gold.
Why does gold jewellery stay shiny for thousands of years?
Gold is at the bottom of the reactivity series, so it barely reacts and resists corrosion, staying shiny.
How do reactive metals like sodium behave compared with unreactive ones?
Reactive metals such as sodium react strongly with water and acid and corrode quickly, unlike unreactive metals.
What happens in a displacement reaction?
In a displacement reaction, a more reactive metal pushes a less reactive metal out of its compound and takes its place.
Why can iron displace copper from copper sulfate solution?
Iron is higher than copper in the reactivity series, so it takes copper's place in the compound.
Which metal would make the best long-lasting jewellery?
Gold is very unreactive and resists corrosion, so it stays beautiful and is ideal for jewellery.
Grounded in trusted sources
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- BBC Bitesize
- Britannica
Every Wunder lesson is built from real, reputable sources — never invented.
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