JSS 1: ACTIVITY SERIES OF METALS
The activity series (reactivity series) is a list of metals arranged in order of their ability to displace hydrogen from water or acids. The activity series is arranged in descending order of reactivity. Highly reactive metals appear at the top, while less reactive metals are placed lower in the series. Arrangement of metals in the activity series Potassium (k) Sodium (Na) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Aluminium (Al) Zinc (Zn) Iron (Fe) Tin (Sn) Lead (Pb) Hydrogen (H) Copper (Cu) Mercury (Hg) Silver (Ag) Gold (Au) A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its compound in solution. Example: Zinc displaces copper from Copper sulphate solution: Zn + CuSO 4 → ZnSO 4 + Cu Uses of reactivity series 1. It helps to predict the behavior of metals in chemical reactions. 2. It is used to determine the methods to be used in the extraction of metals 3. Knowledge of reactivity helps in choosing metals for galvanization 4. The activity series helps in ...