The Activity Series

Text Reference: 3.3 (pg. 125 - 128)

We have looked at several reactions: K
Fe + CuSO4 → Cu + Fe2(SO4)3 Na
Li + H2O → LiOH + H2
Li
No, Ni is Ca
Such experiments reveal trends. The Yes, Li is
activity
below Na Mg
series ranks the relative reactivityabove
of metals.
Zn
It allows us to predict if certain chemicals will Al
undergo single displacement reactions when
Yes, Al is Zn
mixed: metals near the top are most abovereactive
Cu and Fe
will displacing metals near the bottom. Ni
Q: Which of these will react? Sn
Fe + CuSO4 → Yes, Fe is
Pb
Ni + NaCl → Cu + Fe2above
(SO4)3Cu H
Li + ZnCO3 → NR (no reaction) Cu
Zn + Li2CO3 Hg
Al + CuCl2 →
Cu + AlCl3 Ag
H is the only nonmetal listed. H2 may be K
displaced from acids or can be given off cold Na
when a metal reacts with H2O (producing H2O Li
H2 + metal hydroxide). The reaction with Ca
H2O depends on metal reactivity & waterhot H O Mg
2
temp.
Q: will Mg react with H2O? Al
steam Zn
A: No for cold, yes if it is hot/steam
Fe
Mg + H2O → H2 + Mg(OH)2 acid Ni
Q: Zn + HCl → H2 + ZnCl2 Sn
Complete these reactions: Pb
Al + H2O(steam) → H2 + Al(OH)3 H
Cu + H2O → NR Cu
Hg
Ca + H2SO4 → H2 + CaSO4 Ag
H2 + NaOH
 Other Activity Series Information
• 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.
 Activity series lab
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 ¼ 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.
 Mg Cu Zn
 
Mg + AgNO3 Cu + AgNO3 Zn + AgNO3 
AgNO3

→ → →
Ag+ Mg(NO3)2 Ag+ Cu(NO3)2 Ag+ Zn(NO3)2
Mg + H2SO4  Zn + H2SO4 
H2SO4

→ NR →
H2 + MgSO4 H2 + ZnSO4
 
Fe(NO3)3 CuCl2

Mg+ Fe(NO )
3 3 Zn+ Fe(NO3)3
→ NR →
Fe+ Mg(NO3)2 Fe+ Zn(NO3)2
Mg + CuCl2  Zn + CuCl2 
→ NR →
Cu + MgCl2 Cu + ZnCl2
 Oxides K
The formation Na
Oxides form via the Li
and behavior of addition of oxygen: Ca
oxides can also K + O 2 → K 2O Mg
be predicted via
the activity series. Oxides plus H2 (with Al
Zn
Complete these heat) will change to
Fe
reactions: metal and H2O: Ni
heat
Ca + O2 → CaO NiO + H2 → Ni + H2O Sn
Pb
Oxides decompose H
Au + O2 → NR Cu
heat
with heat:
Hg
Fe2O3+ H2 → heat
HgO → Hg + O2
Fe + H2O Ag
 More practice
For all questions write the relavant balanced
chemical equation(s). Use NR to indicate if
there is no reaction. If the valence of a metal
is not indicated in the question, use the metal’s
most common valence (indicated in bold on
your periodic table) to determine the correct
chemical formula.
Pg. 68 #9a, 10, 11, 12, 8, 18
Read 5.6 and 5.7 (pg. 61 – 64)
 Answers a) – d), 9, 10
a) Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2
b) Zn + CuCO3 → ZnCO3 + Cu
c) Ag + H2SO4 → NR
d) CuO + H2 → H2O + Cu

9a) Yes: 2Cr + 6HCl → 2CrCl3 + 3H2

10 No reaction with water at any temperature
Ni + 2HCl → NiCl2 + H2
2Ni + O2 → 2NiO
 Answers 11, 12, 8, 18
11 PbO + H2 → Pb + H2O
NiO + H2 → Ni + H2O
Al2O3 + H2 → NR
12a) 2Rb + H2O → Rb2O + H2
2Rb + 2HCl → 2RbCl + H2
4Rb + O2 → 2Rb2O
12b) No, 12c) No
8 2Al + 3H2O → 3H2 + Al2O3 (protective coat)
18 WO3 + 3H2 → W + 3H2O
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