The reactivity series - (CCEA)Reactions of metals with acid
The reactivity series ranks metals by how readily they react. More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their compounds and react with water.
When metals react with acid hydrogen gas is produced.
The general equation is:
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen
For example, when magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid, the salt magnesium chloride is formed along with hydrogen gas.
During the reaction the following observations would be made:
bubbles of colourless gas;
exothermic (heat given out);
the silver solid (magnesium) would disappear;
a colourless solution forms.
It is not safe to react the most reactive metals (potassium and sodium) with acid in a lab.
As you move down the reactivity series (aluminium, zinc, iron) the metals are less reactive, so less bubbles would be observed, less heat given out and they would take longer to fully react.
