GCSE Chemistry revision

Extraction of metals and reduction

Reactivity of metals

AQA 4.4.1.3 Foundation & Higher

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Metals have electrons in their outermost shell that they readily lose to form positive ions.
The reactivity of a metal refers to how easily it forms positive ions — the easier it does so, the more reactive it is.
By comparing the reactivity of all metals, we can arrange them in order to produce the reactivity series.

1. What Makes a Metal Reactive? AQA

Metals have electrons in their outermost shell that they readily lose to form positive ions.
The reactivity of a metal refers to how easily it forms positive ions — the easier it does so, the more reactive it is.
By comparing the reactivity of all metals, we can arrange them in order to produce the reactivity series.

The reactivity series ranks metals from most reactive to least reactive based on how readily they form positive ions.
Group 1 metals (e.g. potassium, sodium, lithium) are the most reactive, followed by Group 2 metals, with transition metals generally being the least reactive.
Carbon and hydrogen are non-metals but are included in the reactivity series as reference points for comparing metals.

2. The Reactivity Series AQA

The reactivity series ranks metals from most reactive to least reactive based on how readily they form positive ions.
Group 1 metals (e.g. potassium, sodium, lithium) are the most reactive, followed by Group 2 metals, with transition metals generally being the least reactive.
Carbon and hydrogen are non-metals but are included in the reactivity series as reference points for comparing metals.

The reactivity of metals with acids can be compared by observing how violent the reaction is or by measuring the temperature change produced.
More reactive metals release more energy, so they produce a greater temperature increase in the acid.
To ensure a fair test, each metal sample must have the same mass and surface area, and the same type and concentration of acid must be used throughout.

3. Measuring Reactivity Fairly AQA

The reactivity of metals with acids can be compared by observing how violent the reaction is or by measuring the temperature change produced.
More reactive metals release more energy, so they produce a greater temperature increase in the acid.
To ensure a fair test, each metal sample must have the same mass and surface area, and the same type and concentration of acid must be used throughout.

The reactivity series allows us to predict whether a displacement reaction will occur by comparing the reactivity of the metal added with the metal in the salt solution.
If the metal being added is higher in the reactivity series than the metal in the salt solution, a displacement reaction will take place.
If the metal being added is lower in the reactivity series than the metal in the salt solution, no reaction will occur.

4. Using the Reactivity Series to Make Predictions AQA

The reactivity series allows us to predict whether a displacement reaction will occur by comparing the reactivity of the metal added with the metal in the salt solution.
If the metal being added is higher in the reactivity series than the metal in the salt solution, a displacement reaction will take place.
If the metal being added is lower in the reactivity series than the metal in the salt solution, no reaction will occur.