The Activity Series

Text Reference: 3.3 (pg. 125 - 128)

We have looked at several reactions:
Fe + CuSO
4
Cu + Fe
2
(SO
4
)
3
Li + H
2
O LiOH + H
2
Such experiments reveal trends. The activity
series ranks the relative reactivity of metals.
It allows us to predict if certain chemicals will
undergo single displacement reactions when
mixed: metals near the top are most reactive
and will displacing metals near the bottom.
Q: Which of these will react?
Fe + CuSO
4

Ni + NaCl
Li + ZnCO
3

Al + CuCl
2

Cu + Fe
2
(SO
4
)
3
Yes, Fe is
above Cu
NR (no reaction)

No, Ni is
below Na
Zn + Li
2
CO
3
Cu + AlCl
3
Yes, Al is
above Cu
K
Na
Li
Ca
Mg
Al
Zn
Fe
Ni
Sn
Pb
H
Cu
Hg
Ag
Au
Yes, Li is
above Zn
H is the only nonmetal listed. H
2
may
be displaced from acids or can be
given off when a metal reacts with
H
2
O (producing H
2
+ metal hydroxide).
The reaction with H
2
O depends on
metal reactivity & water temp.
Q: will Mg react with H
2
O?
K
Na
Li
Ca
Mg
Al
Zn
Fe
Ni
Sn
Pb
H
Cu
Hg
Ag
Au
cold
H
2
O
hot H
2
O
steam
acid
NR
A: No for cold, yes if it is hot/steam
Mg + H
2
O
H
2
+ ZnCl
2
Complete these reactions:
Al + H
2
O(steam)
Cu + H
2
O
Ca + H
2
SO
4

Na + H
2
O
H
2
+ Mg(OH)
2
H
2
+ Al(OH)
3
H
2
+ CaSO
4
H
2
+ NaOH

Q: Zn + HCl
All metals will have a specific place in the
activity series. For simplicity, 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 in
the question, use its most common valence
(in bold on your periodic table) to determine
the correct chemical formula.
Other Activity Series Information
1. On the next slide, place a check in the corner of
boxes where you think reactions will take place.
2. Get a plastic spot plate.
3. Combine chemicals specified in the chart.
Figure out a way to keep track of the chemicals.
Use a scoop for solids (the less, the better).
Use 1 squeeze of an eyedropper for solutions.
4. Write chemical equations for chemicals that
reacted. Write NR where there was no reaction.
5. Dump used chemicals into the large funnel at
the front of the room (use a squirt bottle to rinse
remaining chemicals into the funnel). Wash the
spot plate and glass rod very well. Dry & return.
Activity series lab
Mg Cu Zn
Mg + AgNO
3


Ag+ Mg(NO
3
)
2
NR

NR

NR









Cu + AgNO
3


Ag+ Cu(NO
3
)
2
Zn + AgNO
3


Ag+ Zn(NO
3
)
2
A
g
N
O
3

H
2
S
O
4

F
e
(
N
O
3
)
3

C
u
C
l
2

Mg + H
2
SO
4


H
2
+ MgSO
4
Zn + H
2
SO
4


H
2
+ ZnSO
4
Mg+ Fe(NO
3
)
3


Fe+ Mg(NO
3
)
2
Zn+ Fe(NO
3
)
3


Fe+ Zn(NO
3
)
2
Mg + CuCl
2


Cu + MgCl
2
Zn + CuCl
2


Cu + ZnCl
2
Oxides form via the
addition of oxygen:
K + O
2
K
2
O
K
Na
Li
Ca
Mg
Al
Zn
Fe
Ni
Sn
Pb
H
Cu
Hg
Ag
Au
Oxides
Oxides plus H
2
(with
heat) will change to
metal and H
2
O:
NiO + H
2
Ni + H
2
O
Oxides decompose
with heat:
HgO Hg + O
2

The formation
and behavior of
oxides can also
be predicted via
the activity series.
Complete these
reactions:
Ca + O
2

Au + O
2

Fe
2
O
3
+ H
2

heat
heat
heat
CaO
Fe + H
2
O
NR