The reactivity series of metals
The reactivity series of metals is a chart listing metals in order of decreasing reactivity. In general, the more reactive a metal is, the more vigorously it reacts with other substances.
We can examine the reactivity of metals by observing their reactions with water, steam and acid.
This table summarises the reactions of some metals in the reactivity series.
| Metal | Reaction with water | Reaction with steam | Reactivity |
| Potassium (K) | Reacts vigorously. Floats on the surface. Moves and fizzes. Burns with a lilac flame. Heat is released. Crackle as it disappears. Colourless solution remains. | Reaction too dangerous to be attempted. | Most reactive |
| Sodium (Na) | Reacts vigorously. Floats on the surface. Moves and fizzes. Melts to form a silvery ball. Heat is released. Crackle as it disappears. Colourless solution remains. | Reaction too dangerous to be attempted. | ⬆ |
| Calcium (Ca) | Reacts readily. Fizzes. Grey solid rises then sinks. Heat is released. Grey solid disappears. Solution appears milky. | Reaction too dangerous to be attempted. | ⬆ |
| Magnesium (Mg) | Very slow reaction. A few bubbles of gas produced. | Reacts on strong heating. White light and white solid formed. | ⬆ |
| Aluminium (Al) | No reaction | Reacts as a powder on strong heating. White solid formed. | ⬆ |
| Zinc (Zn) | No reaction | Reacts as a powder on strong heating. Yellow solid forms which changes to white on cooling. | ⬆ |
| Iron (Fe) | No reaction | Reacts as a powder on very strong heating. Black solid formed. | ⬆ |
| Copper(Cu) | No reaction | No reaction | Least reactive |
| Metal | Potassium (K) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | Reacts vigorously. Floats on the surface. Moves and fizzes. Burns with a lilac flame. Heat is released. Crackle as it disappears. Colourless solution remains. |
| Reaction with steam | Reaction too dangerous to be attempted. |
| Reactivity | Most reactive |
| Metal | Sodium (Na) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | Reacts vigorously. Floats on the surface. Moves and fizzes. Melts to form a silvery ball. Heat is released. Crackle as it disappears. Colourless solution remains. |
| Reaction with steam | Reaction too dangerous to be attempted. |
| Reactivity | ⬆ |
| Metal | Calcium (Ca) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | Reacts readily. Fizzes. Grey solid rises then sinks. Heat is released. Grey solid disappears. Solution appears milky. |
| Reaction with steam | Reaction too dangerous to be attempted. |
| Reactivity | ⬆ |
| Metal | Magnesium (Mg) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | Very slow reaction. A few bubbles of gas produced. |
| Reaction with steam | Reacts on strong heating. White light and white solid formed. |
| Reactivity | ⬆ |
| Metal | Aluminium (Al) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | No reaction |
| Reaction with steam | Reacts as a powder on strong heating. White solid formed. |
| Reactivity | ⬆ |
| Metal | Zinc (Zn) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | No reaction |
| Reaction with steam | Reacts as a powder on strong heating. Yellow solid forms which changes to white on cooling. |
| Reactivity | ⬆ |
| Metal | Iron (Fe) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | No reaction |
| Reaction with steam | Reacts as a powder on very strong heating. Black solid formed. |
| Reactivity | ⬆ |
| Metal | Copper(Cu) |
|---|---|
| Reaction with water | No reaction |
| Reaction with steam | No reaction |
| Reactivity | Least reactive |
