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Extracting metals with different reactivitiesThe reactivity series of metals

Metals can be arranged in order of reactivity by observing their reactions with water, acid and displacement reactions with other metal compounds. These reactions determine how it is extracted from its ore.

Part of Chemistry (Single Science)Chemicals of the natural environment

The reactivity series of metals

The of lists metals in order of decreasing . In general, the more a metal is, the more vigorous its reactions are. The reactivity series can be used to make predictions about how fast a metal reacts or whether it will another metal from a .

The table summarises some reactions of metals in the reactivity series. Hydrogen is shown for comparison.

Table showing the reactivity series of metals, from least to most reactive

Question

Platinum is placed below gold in the reactivity series. Predict its reaction with dilute acids and explain your answer.

Learn more on the reactivity series of metals in this podcast.

Explaining reactivity

When metals react with , they form . Each metal loses one or more to become a . The more easily a metal loses electrons, the more reactive it is.