The reactivity series

The reactivity series — from most to least reactive

Read top to bottom: the further down a metal sits, the less readily it reacts with water and acids.

1. 1Potassium, Sodium, LithiumThese three react vigorously with cold water, releasing hydrogen gas. The vigour decreases from potassium (most vigorous, hydrogen ignites with a lilac flame) down to lithium (steady fizzing only). All three are stored under oil to prevent contact with moisture.+
2. 2CalciumCalcium reacts steadily with cold water — it fizzes, and the water turns milky as calcium hydroxide forms. Less dramatic than the three above it, but still clearly reactive with cold water.+
3. 3MagnesiumMagnesium reacts very slowly with cold water but readily with dilute acids. It is the boundary metal: just below those that react with cold water, but well above those that don't react with acids at all.+
4. 4Carbon (non-metal reference point)Carbon is not a metal but is placed here as a reference point. Metals below this line can be extracted from their ores by reduction with carbon. Metals above this line cannot — they are too reactive for carbon to displace them.+
5. 5Zinc, IronZinc and iron do not react with cold water, but both react with dilute acids to produce hydrogen gas and a salt. Zinc is above iron and reacts slightly more readily, reflecting its higher position.+
6. 6Hydrogen (non-metal reference point)Hydrogen is placed here as a reference marker. Metals above this line react with dilute acids and produce hydrogen gas. Metals below this line do not react with dilute acids at all.+
7. 7CopperCopper is at the bottom and is the least reactive of the named metals. It does not react with cold water or dilute acids. Copper is a useful benchmark: any metal that fails to displace copper in a displacement test is at the very bottom of the series.+

Predict, then check

Think about the positions of both metals in the reactivity series before you commit.

Magnesium ribbon is dropped into iron sulfate solution. Which outcome do you predict?

Tap any cell to reveal it. Tap a column header to read one property down every item.