AQA · GCSE · Chemistry

    Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018

    Students should be able to: recall and describe the reactions, if any, of…

    Full specification wording

    The reactivity series: Students should be able to: recall and describe the reactions, if any, of potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper with water or dilute acids and where appropriate, to place these metals in order of reactivity explain how the reactivity of metals with water or dilute acids is related to the tendency of the metal to form its positive ion deduce an order of reactivity of metals based on experimental results.

    This outcome combines recall, explanation and deduction.

    Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 7 of 7
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    This outcome combines recall, explanation and deduction. Recall the reactions: potassium, sodium and lithium react with cold water to form the metal hydroxide and hydrogen, with potassium most vigorous; calcium reacts steadily with water; magnesium reacts very slowly with cold water but rapidly with dilute acid; zinc and iron react with dilute acid, zinc faster; copper reacts with neither. Place them K > Na > Li > Ca > Mg > Zn > Fe > Cu. Reactivity relates to the tendency to form a positive ion: the more readily a metal loses electrons to form a positive ion, the more reactive it is. Deduce an order from results by comparing the vigour of reactions or the outcomes of displacement experiments, then ranking the metals accordingly.

    What earns the marks

    • Recall the reactions of potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper with water or dilute acid, including products and observations.
    • Place the metals in order of reactivity: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper.
    • Explain that greater reactivity corresponds to a greater tendency to form a positive ion by losing electrons.
    • Deduce an order of reactivity from experimental results such as the rate of gas production, temperature change or displacement outcomes.
    • Use the reactivity series to predict whether a displacement reaction will occur.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing the order of lithium and calcium.

      Put it right by placing lithium above calcium because lithium reacts more vigorously with water.

    • Stating that reactivity depends on the metal's density or melting point.

      Put it right by linking reactivity to the tendency to form a positive ion.

    • Deducing an order from a single observation without comparing vigour.

      Put it right by comparing reactions across several metals under the same conditions.

    Exam tips

    • When asked to deduce an order, compare the observations for each metal and state the ranking explicitly.
    • Link each reaction to the formation of a positive ion, for example Mg → Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻.
    • Use the phrase 'under these conditions' when a metal appears unreactive, and name the specific water or acid used.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the The reactivity series: Students should be able to: recall and describe the reactions, if any, of potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper with water or dilute acids and where appropriate, to place these metals in order of reactivity explain how the reactivity of metals with water or dilute acids is related to the tendency of the metal to form its positive ion deduce an order of reactivity of metals based on experimental results. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which metal reacts with cold water by fizzing and moving around the surface?

    Listen

    This outcome combines recall, explanation and deduction. Recall the reactions: potassium, sodium and lithium react with cold water to form the metal hydroxide and hydrogen, with potassium most vigorous; calcium reacts steadily with water; magnesium reacts very slowly with cold water but rapidly with dilute acid; zinc and iron react with dilute acid, zinc faster; copper reacts with neither. Place them K > Na > Li > Ca > Mg > Zn > Fe > Cu. Reactivity relates to the tendency to form a positive ion: the more readily a metal loses electrons to form a positive ion, the more reactive it is. Deduce an order from results by comparing the vigour of reactions or the outcomes of displacement experiments, then ranking the metals accordingly. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Recall the reactions of potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper with water or dilute acid, including products and observations. Place the metals in order of reactivity: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper. Explain that greater reactivity corresponds to a greater tendency to form a positive ion by losing electrons. Deduce an order of reactivity from experimental results such as the rate of gas production, temperature change or displacement outcomes. A common slip: Confusing the order of lithium and calcium. Instead, placing lithium above calcium because lithium reacts more vigorously with water. Exam tip: When asked to deduce an order, compare the observations for each metal and state the ranking explicitly.

    See it

    A vertical flowchart of eight boxes connected by downward arrows. The top box is labelled Potassium, followed in order by Sodium, Lithium, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron and finally Copper at the bottom. Each arrow points from a more reactive metal to the next less reactive one, giving the reactivity order potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper.
    Shows the order of reactivity of the eight named metals, from potassium (most reactive) down to copper (least reactive).

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. Magnesium
    2. 2. Copper
    3. 3. Zinc
    4. 4. Potassium
    5. 5. Sodium
    6. 6. Iron
    7. 7. Lithium
    8. 8. Calcium

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Reactivity series

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Metal reactions with water and acids

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Formation of positive ions

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Deducing order from evidence

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Reactivity series
    The order of the metals potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper, placed in order of reactivity.
    Metal reactions with water and acids
    The reactions, if any, of the named metals with water or dilute acids, including the products and observations.
    Formation of positive ions
    The more readily a metal loses electrons to form a positive ion, the more reactive it is.
    Deducing order from evidence
    Ranking metals by comparing the vigour of reactions or the outcomes of displacement experiments.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A vertical flowchart of eight boxes connected by downward arrows. The top box is labelled Potassium, followed in order by Sodium, Lithium, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron and finally Copper at the bottom. Each arrow points from a more reactive metal to the next less reactive one, giving the reactivity order potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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    Test your understanding of The reactivity series: Students should be able to: recall and describe the reactions, if any, of potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper with water or dilute acids and where appropriate, to place these metals in order of reactivity explain how the reactivity of metals with water or dilute acids is related to the tendency of the metal to form its positive ion deduce an order of reactivity of metals based on experimental results.

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