The Reactivity Series of Metals The reactivity series arranges metals in order of their reactivity with oxygen and water. The most reactive metals, like potassi...
The reactivity series arranges metals in order of their reactivity with oxygen and water. The most reactive metals, like potassium and sodium, are at the top, while the least reactive metals, such as gold and platinum, are at the bottom.
More reactive metals:
Less reactive metals:
A displacement reaction involves a metal atom displacing another metal atom from a compound. This reaction occurs when a more reactive metal is placed in a solution of a less reactive metal compound.
Reaction: Zinc metal + Copper sulfate solution → Zinc sulfate solution + Copper metal
Explanation: Zinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from the copper sulfate solution, forming zinc sulfate and solid copper.
Metals are extracted from their ores using various methods involving oxidation and reduction reactions:
Less reactive metals, like aluminum, are extracted by electrolysis of their molten compounds. Electricity provides energy to break the bonds, reducing the metal ions to atoms.
Reactive metals like iron are extracted by heating their oxides with carbon (coke) in a blast furnace. The carbon reduces the metal oxides to pure metals.
Very reactive metals like sodium and potassium are extracted by displacement reactions with less reactive molten compounds.