GCSE Chemistry · Edexcel 1CH0 · Topic 4A
Reactivity series and redox
Key points
- The reactivity series (most to least reactive): potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, (carbon), zinc, iron, (hydrogen), copper, silver, gold.
- More reactive metals react more vigorously with water and dilute acids, because they lose electrons more easily to form cations.
- Displacement: a more reactive metal pushes a less reactive metal out of its compound, e.g. zinc + copper sulfate → zinc sulfate + copper.
- Oxidation = gain of oxygen; reduction = loss of oxygen.
- Higher tier: oxidation is loss of electrons and reduction is gain of electrons (OIL RIG). In displacement, the more reactive metal is oxidised.
- Write ionic equations for displacement, e.g. .
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Some metals react violently with water while others stay shiny for centuries. These notes cover the reactivity series, how it is worked out from experiments, displacement reactions, and oxidation and reduction in terms of oxygen and (Higher…
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