Reactivity Series and Displacement Reactions

Reactivity Series
• The reactivity series of metals, also known as the activity series, refers to the
arrangement of metals in the descending order of their reactivity
• Metals tend to readily lose electrons and form cations.
• Most of them react with atmospheric oxygen to form metal oxides.
• However, different metals have different reactivity towards oxygen, water and dilute
acids
• Unreactive metals such as gold and platinum do not readily form oxides when exposed
to air.
• The metals at the top of the reactivity series tarnish/corrode very easily.
• Metals that are placed higher on the reactivity series have the ability to displace
metals that are placed lower from their salt solutions.
• Metals with high atomic numbers tend to be more reactive as their electrons are far
from the positively charged nucleus, so, they can be removed easily.
The Reactivity Series List