Chemical activity series of metals
Some metals react eagerly, some hardly at all
1. General properties: mass, radius and metallic property
2. Fizz or nothing?
Drop magnesium ribbon into dilute hydrochloric acid and it fizzes. Drop in a copper wire and nothing happens. Why?
Pick the right answer
Predict: what is the difference between the two metals?
- A. Magnesium is more chemically active than copper
- B. Copper is harder, so the acid cannot get in
- C. The acid is too weak for any metal
Explanation
Magnesium is more chemically active than copper. Magnesium is above hydrogen in the activity series and displaces it from dilute hydrochloric acid; copper is below hydrogen, so no reaction happens.
3. The activity series
Chemical activity series
The arrangement of metals in descending order according to their chemical activity.
Active means the metal reacts readily. It does not mean strong or hard.
4. Above hydrogen
Metals above hydrogen displace hydrogen from dilute acids. Metals below hydrogen do not.
gatheredMg + 2HCl →\\ MgCl2 + H2 ^gathered
Cu + HCl → no reaction
The most active metals, like sodium and potassium, even displace hydrogen from cold water.
5. Use the series
Sort into groups
Each metal is dropped into dilute hydrochloric acid. Sort them.
ZincIronSilverGoldCalcium
Pick the right answer
Metal X fizzes in dilute acid. Metal Y does not. Which statement fits?
- A. X is above hydrogen in the series; Y is below it
- B. Y is more active than X
- C. Both are below hydrogen
Explanation
X fizzes, so it displaces hydrogen from the dilute acid: X is above hydrogen in the series. Y does not react, so it is below hydrogen.
6. Summary
- The activity series arranges metals in descending order of chemical activity.
- Metals above hydrogen displace it from dilute acids; metals below it do not.
- Active means reacts readily, not hard or strong.
Back to the hook: magnesium is above hydrogen and copper is below it.
| Metal | Place in the series | In dilute hydrochloric acid |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | above hydrogen | hydrogen bubbles out |
| Copper | below hydrogen | no reaction |
Can you explain why gold rings stay shiny, but iron nails rust?