The reactivity series for metals | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

If we have a hypothesis, or if we have some experimental evidence showing a pattern, we may be able to ______ what will happen in our next investigation.
- 'predict' ✓
Which of the following properties are most likely associated with metals?
- being a good thermal conductor ✓
- being brittle
- being a poor electrical conductor
- being malleable ✓
Match each term to the correct statement.
- acid
  
  ⇔
  
  a solution that has a pH of less than 7 ✓
- chemical reaction
  
  ⇔
  
  when atoms are rearranged, and changes can be observed, e.g. bubbles ✓
- corrosion
  
  ⇔
  
  when a metal reduces in size due to a chemical reaction ✓
- metal
  
  ⇔
  
  a strong, shiny, malleable & ductile thermal and electrical conductor ✓
- non-metal
  
  ⇔
  
  a not strong, dull, brittle and poor thermal and electrical conductor ✓
Decide whether the following statement is true or false and why this is correct: 'The elements highlighted in green in this image are all metals.'
- true
- false ✓
- hydrogen is a non-metal
- they are all non-metals ✓
A pupil wrote the following sentence: 'When a metal reacts, it forms salt and a gas.' Select the statement which explains this more accurately.
- When a metal reacts with an acid, it forms a metal salt and hydrogen. ✓
- When a metal reacts, it forms bubbles and salt.
- When a metal reacts with an acid, it forms a non-metal.
- When a metal reacts with an acid, it forms hydrogen gas.
Complete the word equation for the following reaction: magnesium + hydrochloric acid -> ______ + hydrogen
- 'magnesium chloride' ✓

Exit quiz

The reactivity of metals can be deduced from their reactions with certain substances. Starting with the least reactive, put the following in order of reactivity.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  unreactive
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  reacts with oxygen
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  reacts with dilute acid
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  reacts with cold water
What happens when tin is added to water and why?
- no reaction occurs ✓
- a reaction occurs
- because tin is reactive enough to react with water
- because tin is not reactive enough to react with water ✓
The reaction of magnesium with hydrochloric acid is irreversible. Given enough acid and time, the reaction goes to completion. MgCl $_2$ is very soluble. What would you see when the reaction stops?
- a completely empty beaker
- a beaker with what looks like water ✓
- a beaker with liquid, with a pile of salt at the bottom
- a beaker with a smaller piece of magnesium in what looks like water
The reactivity of metals can be deduced from their method of extraction. Starting with the least reactive/easiest to extract, put the following methods of extraction in the correct order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  the metals are found in their native state in nature
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  extraction by displacement with carbon
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  extraction by electrolysis
Match each term to the correct definition.
- effervescence
  
  ⇔
  
  when bubbles of gas are produced in a liquid, so the liquid is fizzing ✓
- exothermic
  
  ⇔
  
  when energy is transferred from reactants to surroundings ✓
- irreversible reaction
  
  ⇔
  
  reactants form products, and the reaction goes to completion ✓
- reactivity series
  
  ⇔
  
  metals placed in order of reactivity; most reactive metal at the top ✓
Starting with the least reactive, put the following metals in order of reactivity.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  platinum
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  copper
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  hydrogen
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  tin
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  carbon
- 6
  
  ⇔
  
  aluminium
- 7
  
  ⇔
  
  potassium

Worksheet

Presentation

Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

Some metals react with acid to produce a metal salt and hydrogen gas.
Some metals react with water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Some metals react with oxygen to form a metal oxide.
The reactivity series for metals shows how vigorously metals react, compared to each other.
The higher the position of a metal in the reactivity series, the more vigorously it is likely to react.

Common misconception

The reactant disappears during the reaction. Acids and metals react because the acid eats away the metal.

Use word and symbol equations to reinforce the idea that during the reaction new chemicals are produced from the reactants. Demonstrate that metals less reactive than hydrogen will not react with acid.

Keywords

Reactivity series for metals - Shows metals placed in order of reactivity with the most reactive metal at the top.
Effervescence - When bubbles of gas are produced in a liquid; another way of saying a liquid is fizzing.
Exothermic - A type of reaction in which energy is transferred from the reactants to the surroundings e.g. combustion.