Chapter 9

Reactivity Series
# Key Topic One-Line Summary
1 Reactivity Series Elements ranked from most to least reactive based on reactions with water and
acids.
2 Reactions with Water Metals above hydrogen in the series react with water/steam to form hydrogen;
those below do not.
3 Cold Water Reactions K, Na, Li react vigorously; Ca reacts gently — all produce metal hydroxide + H2.
4 Steam Reactions Mg burns brightly; Zn and Fe react slowly — all produce metal oxide + H2.
Copper does not react.
5 Reactions with Dilute Acids Metals above hydrogen produce a salt + H2 (MASH). Vigour increases up the
series.
6 Activity 1 Lab investigation: Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu in dilute HCl and H2SO4. All exothermic.
7 Rusting of Iron Requires both O2 AND water. Forms Fe2O3.xH2O (hydrated iron(III) oxide).
8 Barrier Methods Paint, oil/grease, plastic, or a less-reactive metal coating blocks contact with air
and water.
9 Galvanising Zinc coating protects iron — even when scratched, zinc corrodes preferentially.

ARRANGING METALS IN A REACTIVITY SERIES

Reactivity Series: A list of elements (mainly metals) in order of decreasing reactivity, based on how
vigorously they react with water and dilute acids. Carbon and hydrogen are non-metals but are
included in the series.

Ran Element Notes

k
1 Potassium Most reactive
2 Sodium
3 Lithium
4 Calcium
5 Magnesium
6 Aluminium
— (Carbon) Non-metal — included for reference
7 Zinc
8 Iron
— (Hydrogen) Non-metal — reference point for acid reactions
9 Copper
10 Silver
11 Gold Least reactive

Experimental Method for Ordering Metals

To arrange calcium, zinc, iron and copper in order of reactivity, always test in this sequence — cold
water first, then steam, then acid — to avoid dangerously violent reactions with a highly reactive metal
and acid.

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1. Cold water: Calcium reacts (fizzes); zinc, iron and copper do not. → Calcium is most reactive of the
four.
2. Steam: Zinc and iron react; copper does not. → Copper is least reactive of the four.
3. Dilute acid: Both zinc and iron fizz, but zinc fizzes more vigorously. → Zinc is more reactive than
iron.
4. Final order (most → least reactive): Ca > Zn > Fe > Cu.

Caution: How vigorously a metal reacts with dilute acid depends on its position in the series, but
also on its surface area and whether the surface is free from dirt or an oxide coating.

REACTIONS OF METALS WITH WATER

General Rules

Metals above hydrogen react with water or steam to produce hydrogen.

• Cold water: metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen
• Steam: metal + steam → metal oxide + hydrogen
Reactivity decreases down the series.

Metals below hydrogen (e.g. copper) do not react with water or steam — which is why copper is
safe to use for both hot and cold water pipes.

Reactions with Cold Water

Potassium, Sodium, Lithium
Very vigorous reactions. Vigour decreases: potassium > sodium > lithium. All three follow the same
equation — replace M with K, Na, or Li:
FORMULA

2M(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2MOH(aq) + H2(g)

M = K, Na, or Li | H2O = water | MOH = metal hydroxide | H2 = hydrogen gas
Potassium, sodium, or lithium reacting with cold water to produce the metal hydroxide and hydrogen.

Calcium
Reacts gently. Granules sink but are carried back to the surface by hydrogen bubbles. Mixture warms
up. Calcium hydroxide forms — slightly soluble, so some dissolves (colourless solution) and the rest
remains as a white insoluble solid.
FORMULA

Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq or s) + H2(g)

Ca = calcium | H2O = water | Ca(OH)2 = calcium hydroxide | H2 = hydrogen gas
Calcium reacting gently with cold water to produce calcium hydroxide and hydrogen.

Reactions with Steam

Magnesium
With cold water: almost no reaction — the metal becomes coated in insoluble magnesium hydroxide,
which blocks further water contact. With steam (apparatus: magnesium ribbon heated while mineral
wool soaked in water generates steam): magnesium burns with a bright white flame, producing
hydrogen (ignitable at the delivery tube end) and white magnesium oxide.

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 FORMULA

Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g)

Mg = magnesium | H2O(g) = steam | MgO = magnesium oxide | H2 = hydrogen gas
Magnesium burning in steam to form white magnesium oxide and hydrogen.

Zinc
Zinc oxide forms — yellow when hot, white on cooling. Hydrogen comes off slowly enough to collect.
Zinc does not burn.
FORMULA

Zn(s) + H2O(g) → ZnO(s) + H2(g)

Zn = zinc | H2O(g) = steam | ZnO = zinc oxide | H2 = hydrogen gas
Zinc reacting with steam to form zinc oxide and hydrogen.

Iron
Iron becomes slightly darker grey. A complex oxide — triiron tetraoxide — is formed. Hydrogen
collected slowly. Iron does not burn.
FORMULA

3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) → Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g)

Fe = iron | H2O(g) = steam | Fe3O4 = triiron tetraoxide | H2 = hydrogen gas
Iron reacting with steam to form triiron tetraoxide (a complex oxide) and hydrogen.

Aluminium
Expected reactivity is between magnesium and zinc. In practice, aluminium reacts only very slowly with
steam because a thin but very strong layer of aluminium oxide covers its surface. Water and steam
cannot penetrate this layer effectively — so aluminium does not show its true reactivity with steam.

REACTIONS OF METALS WITH DILUTE ACIDS

Same pattern as reactions with water, but always more vigorous. These trends apply only to simple
dilute acids (H2SO4 or HCl). Nitric acid and concentrated H2SO4 behave completely differently —
beyond the scope of this chapter.

General Equations — MASH Mnemonic

MASH: Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen

metal + dilute sulfuric acid → metal sulfate + hydrogen

metal + dilute hydrochloric acid → metal chloride + hydrogen

Metals below hydrogen (copper, silver, gold) do not react with dilute H2SO4 or HCl.

K, Na, Li, Ca are too reactive to add to acids safely — the reaction is too violent. Calcium can be
used only if the acid is very dilute.

Magnesium
Reacts vigorously with cold dilute acids. Mixture gets hot. Colourless solution of magnesium sulfate or
magnesium chloride forms.

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 FORMULA

Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + H2(g)

Mg = magnesium | H2SO4 = dilute sulfuric acid | MgSO4 = magnesium sulfate | H2 = hydrogen gas
Magnesium reacting vigorously with dilute sulfuric acid to form magnesium sulfate and hydrogen.

Aluminium
Slow to start — the protective Al2O3 layer blocks the acid. On warming, acid removes the layer;
aluminium then reacts very vigorously, revealing its true high reactivity.
FORMULA

2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)

Al = aluminium | HCl = dilute hydrochloric acid | AlCl3 = aluminium chloride | H2 = hydrogen gas
Aluminium reacting with dilute hydrochloric acid (after oxide layer removed) to form aluminium chloride and hydrogen.

Zinc
Slow in the cold, faster on heating. Less vigorous than aluminium. Forms zinc sulfate or zinc chloride
and hydrogen.
FORMULA

Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

Zn = zinc | H2SO4 = dilute sulfuric acid | ZnSO4 = zinc sulfate | H2 = hydrogen gas
Zinc reacting with dilute sulfuric acid to form zinc sulfate and hydrogen.

Iron
Slow in the cold, faster on heating. Vigour less than aluminium or zinc. Forms iron(II) sulfate or iron(II)
chloride and hydrogen. Produces a very pale green solution.
FORMULA

Fe(s) + 2HCl(aq) → FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)

Fe = iron | HCl = dilute hydrochloric acid | FeCl2 = iron(II) chloride | H2 = hydrogen gas
Iron reacting slowly with dilute hydrochloric acid to form iron(II) chloride and hydrogen.

All these reactions are exothermic — they release heat. The test tube warms up (or gets hot)
during the reaction.

ACTIVITY 1: REACTIONS BETWEEN METALS AND DILUTE ACIDS

Procedure
1. Set up four test tubes. Add ~2 cm³ of dilute hydrochloric acid to each.
2. Add a small piece of magnesium, zinc, iron, or copper (one per tube). Observe.
3. If fizzing occurs, collect/trap the gas and test with a lighted splint — a squeaky pop confirms
hydrogen.
4. Repeat all four tests using dilute sulfuric acid.

PRECAUTION: Wear eye protection. Keep hands and face away from tube mouths — acid aerosol
(tiny droplets) may be carried out by the gas.

Results with Dilute Hydrochloric Acid (Table 9.1)

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Metal Observation
Magnesium Very vigorous fizzing. Squeaky pop confirmed hydrogen. Colourless solution. Test tube gets hot.
Zinc Steady fizzing. Enough gas for squeaky pop. Colourless solution. Test tube gets warmer.
Iron Slow fizzing. Very little gas collected. Very pale green solution. Slightly warmer.
Copper No change.

RUSTING OF IRON
Rusting is the corrosion of iron (and steel). Many metals corrode, but "rusting" refers only to iron.

Conditions required: Both oxygen AND water must be present — neither alone causes rusting.

Formula of rust: Fe2O3.xH2O — hydrated iron(III) oxide, where x is a variable number.

Steel is mostly iron and rusts in the same way. Cars and bridges are made from steel rather than pure
iron because steel has superior properties — e.g. it is stronger. Salty water accelerates rusting.

PREVENTING RUSTING
Barrier Methods
Keep iron/steel from contacting air and water by applying a physical barrier:
Barrier Type How It Works
Paint Blocks air and water from reaching the iron/steel surface.
Oil or grease Coats the surface, preventing air and water contact.
Plastic coating Fully encases the iron/steel.
Another metal (e.g. tin) Coating with a metal lower in the reactivity series (e.g. tin on steel for tin cans) acts as a
physical barrier.

Problem with barrier methods: Once the coating is broken or scratched, iron is exposed to oxygen
and water and will rust — including areas not directly in contact with air or water.

Galvanising
Galvanised iron is iron coated with a layer of zinc. It provides two levels of protection:

1. Barrier effect: The unscratched zinc layer physically blocks air and water.
2. Sacrificial protection: When zinc is scratched away and iron is exposed, the iron still does not rust
— because zinc is higher (more reactive) than iron in the reactivity series, so zinc reacts with oxygen
and water preferentially. The zinc corrodes instead of the iron.

GLOSSARY
Term Simple Definition
Acid Solution that reacts with metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series to
produce a salt and hydrogen.
AlCl3 (aluminium chloride) Salt formed when aluminium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.
Alloy Mixture of a metal with one or more other elements (e.g. steel is mostly iron).
Aluminium oxide Thin but very strong protective layer on aluminium that resists penetration by
water, steam, and acid (until heated).

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Term Simple Definition
Barrier method Preventing rusting by placing a physical coating (paint, oil, plastic, metal)
between iron and air/water.
Ca(OH)2 (calcium hydroxide) Product of calcium reacting with cold water; slightly soluble — some dissolves,
rest remains as white solid.
Corrosion Chemical reaction of a metal with substances in its environment (O2, water)
that degrades it.
Exothermic A reaction that releases heat to the surroundings.
Fe2O3.xH2O (rust / hydrated The product of rusting; x is a variable number.
iron(III) oxide)
Fe3O4 (triiron tetraoxide) Complex oxide formed when iron reacts with steam.
FeCl2 (iron(II) chloride) Pale green salt formed when iron reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.
Galvanising Coating iron with zinc; protects via barrier effect and, once scratched, via
sacrificial protection.
H2 (hydrogen) Gas produced when metals above hydrogen react with water or acids;
confirmed by squeaky pop with a lighted splint.
Metal hydroxide Product of a reactive metal reacting with cold water (e.g. Ca(OH)2, KOH).
Metal oxide Product of a metal reacting with steam (e.g. MgO, ZnO, Fe3O4).
MgO (magnesium oxide) White solid formed when magnesium burns in steam.
MgSO4 (magnesium sulfate) Colourless salt formed when magnesium reacts with dilute sulfuric acid.
Reactivity series List of elements (mainly metals) in order of decreasing reactivity.
Rusting Corrosion of iron or steel in the presence of both oxygen and water to form
hydrated iron(III) oxide.
Sacrificial protection A more reactive metal (zinc) corrodes preferentially, protecting a less reactive
metal (iron) even after the coating is scratched.
Salt Ionic compound formed (along with hydrogen) when a metal above hydrogen
reacts with a dilute acid.
Steel Most common alloy of iron; reacts with oxygen and water in the same way as
iron.
ZnO (zinc oxide) Yellow when hot, white on cooling; formed when zinc reacts with steam.
ZnSO4 (zinc sulfate) Colourless salt formed when zinc reacts with dilute sulfuric acid.

CHAPTER SUMMARY
Topic Key Points
Reactivity Series Elements ranked most → least reactive: K > Na > Li > Ca > Mg > Al > (C) > Zn > Fe >
(H) > Cu > Ag > Au. The further up the series, the more vigorous the reaction with
water and acids.
Reactions with cold water K, Na, Li react very vigorously. Ca reacts gently. Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu do not react with cold
water. Products: metal hydroxide + H2.
Reactions with steam Mg burns brilliantly (white flame). Zn and Fe react slowly (H2 collectible). Cu does not
react. Al reacts very slowly due to Al2O3 layer. Products: metal oxide + H2.
Reactions with dilute Metals above H react: salt + H2 (MASH). Vigour order: K/Na/Li/Ca (too violent) > Mg
acids (vigorous) > Al (slow then vigorous on heating) > Zn > Fe (slow). Cu, Ag, Au: no
reaction.

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Topic Key Points
All metal–acid reactions Exothermic. Hydrogen confirmed by squeaky pop with a lighted splint.
Rusting Requires O2 AND water. Product: Fe2O3.xH2O. Salty water accelerates rusting. Steel
rusts the same way as iron.
Barrier methods Paint, oil/grease, plastic, or a less-reactive metal coating blocks air/water. Weakness:
once the barrier is broken, all exposed iron rusts.
Galvanising Zinc coating on iron. Barrier when intact. Sacrificial protection when scratched — zinc
(higher in series) corrodes preferentially, protecting the iron.
Aluminium passivation Strong Al2O3 surface layer suppresses reactivity with water/steam. Acid removes it on
warming, revealing true high reactivity.

MUST MEMORIZE
Category Item Detail
Definition Reactivity Series Elements (mainly metals) listed in order of decreasing reactivity.
Definition Rusting Corrosion of iron/steel in the presence of BOTH O2 AND water.
Definition Rust formula Fe2O3.xH2O — hydrated iron(III) oxide; x is variable.
Definition Galvanising Coating iron with zinc; zinc corrodes preferentially when
scratched.
Definition Barrier method Physical coating (paint, oil, plastic, metal) prevents air/water
reaching iron.
Definition Exothermic reaction Releases heat to surroundings — all metal–acid reactions in this
chapter.
Formula K / Na / Li + cold water 2M(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2MOH(aq) + H2(g) [M = K, Na, Li]
Formula Ca + cold water Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq/s) + H2(g)
Formula Mg + steam Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g)
Formula Zn + steam Zn(s) + H2O(g) → ZnO(s) + H2(g)
Formula Fe + steam 3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) → Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g)
Formula Mg + H2SO4 Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + H2(g)
Formula Al + HCl 2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)
Formula Zn + H2SO4 Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)
Formula Fe + HCl Fe(s) + 2HCl(aq) → FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Key Fact Hydrogen gas test Squeaky pop with a lighted splint.
Key Fact Copper pipes Copper is below H in the series — does not react with hot or cold
water.
Key Fact Zinc oxide colour Yellow when hot; white on cooling.
Key Fact Triiron tetraoxide Fe3O4 — the oxide formed when iron reacts with steam (not
simple FeO or Fe2O3).
Key Fact Iron + HCl solution colour Very pale green (iron(II) chloride solution).
Key Fact Mg + cold water Almost no reaction — Mg(OH)2 coating stops further contact.
Key Fact Salty water Accelerates the rusting of iron.
Rule Testing order Always: cold water → steam → acid. Never start a very reactive
metal with acid.

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Category Item Detail
Rule MASH mnemonic Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen (for metals above H in the
series).
Rule Rusting conditions BOTH O2 AND water required. Neither alone causes rusting.
Rule Galvanising scratch protection Zinc is more reactive than iron → corrodes first → iron protected.
Rule Barrier weakness Once broken, all exposed iron rusts — even bits not directly
facing air/water.
Rule Al passivation Al2O3 layer suppresses steam reactivity; warm acid removes it.
Rule Nitric acid / conc. H2SO4 Behave completely differently from dilute acids — beyond scope
of this chapter.