The Activity Series

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

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 CaO Fe + H 2 O NR