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Most
reactive |
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REACTIVITY
SERIES What is it? Nothing complicated. The
reactivity series of metals shows how reactive some elements are compared
with others. It is a watered-down
version of the Electrochemical Series, something studied at A2. Carbon and hydrogen are included for comparison. Metals above carbon can only be extracted from their ores by
electrolysis. Metals below carbon can be extracted from their ore by reduction with
carbon (coke or charcoal). Metals below hydrogen don’t react with water or acid, nor do they
easily tarnish or corrode. More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from compounds. More reactive metals do this by reducing the less reactive metal. Example: Fe(aq) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) +
Cu(s) |
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Potassium |
K |
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Sodium |
Na |
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Calcium |
Ca |
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Magnesium |
Mg |
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Aluminium |
Al |
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Carbon |
C |
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Zinc |
Zn |
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Iron |
Fe |
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Lead |
Pb |
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Hydrogen |
H |
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Copper |
Cu |
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Silver |
Ag |
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Gold |
Au |
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Platinum |
Pt |
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Least
reactive |
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