The Activity Series

We have looked at several reactions: Fe + CuSO4 Cu + Fe2(SO4)3 Li + H2O LiOH + H2 No, Ni is Yes, Li is The activity series ranks the relative below Na above Zn reactivity of metals. It allows us to predict if certain chemicals will Al is undergo single displacement Yes, reactions. Cu Metals near the top are mostabove reactive and will displace metals near the bottom. Q: Which of these will react? Yes, Fe is above Cu Fe + CuSO4 Cu + Fe2 (SO4)3 Ni + NaCl NR (no reaction) Li + ZnCO3 Zn + Li CO 2 3 Al + CuCl2 Cu + AlCl3

K Na Li Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Ni Sn Pb H Cu Hg Ag Au

H2 can be given off when a metal cold H2O reacts with H2O or an acid. The reaction with H2O depends on metal reactivity & water temp. hot H2O Q: Will Mg react with H2O?

A: No for cold, yes if it is hot/steam H2 + Mg(OH)2 Mg + H2O acid Q: Zn + HCl H2 + ZnCl2 Complete these reactions:
Al Cu Ca Na + + + + H2O(steam) H2 + Al(OH)3 H2O NR H2SO4 H2 + CaSO4 H2O H2 + NaOH

steam

K Na Li Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Ni Sn Pb H Cu Hg Ag Au

Other Activity Series Information

All metals have a specific place in the activity series. Only the most common metals are shown. The metals near the top of the activity series are more reactive because their valence electrons are more easily removed. On tests and exams the activity series may appear as K, Na, Ag, Au; you must remember that K is reactive, Au is not. If the valence of a metal is not indicated, use its most common valence to determine the correct chemical formula.

Oxides
The formation Oxides form via the and behavior of addition of oxygen: oxides can also K + O2 K2O be predicted via the activity series. Oxides plus H2 (with heat) will change to Complete these metal and H2O: reactions: heat Ca + O2 CaO NiO + H2 Ni + H2O Au + O2 NR
heat Fe2O3+ H2

Oxides decompose with heat:

heat

Fe + H2O HgO Hg + O2

K Na Li Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Ni Sn Pb H Cu Hg Ag Au

Sample Problem 8-6

Use the activity series on page 266 (Table 8-3) Zn(s) + H2O(l)
Zn(s) + H2O(l) NR

Sn(s) + O2(g)
Sn(s) + O2(g) SnO Balance!

 Cd(s) + Pb(NO3)2
Cd(s) + Pb(NO3)2 Cd(NO3)2 + Pb(s)

Cu(s) + HCl(aq)
Cu(s) + HCl(aq) NR