The Reactivity Series: Order & Application
15 Questions · 33 Total Marks · Core & Supplement
Section A: The Reactivity Order
Total: 9 marks
Place these metals in order of reactivity, most reactive first: Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Sodium.
Write your order below, then reveal the answer.
Which metal is immediately below Calcium in the reactivity series?
Arrange the following from most reactive to least reactive: Zinc, Potassium, Iron, Calcium.
Write your order below, then reveal the answer.
Which of the following correctly lists three metals in order of decreasing reactivity?
State the complete reactivity series in order from most reactive to least reactive (all 12 elements including non-metals).
Section B: The Non-Metals & Special Cases
Total: 9 marks
Name the TWO non-metals included in the reactivity series.
Place Carbon, Zinc, and Aluminium in order of reactivity, most reactive first.
Write your order below, then reveal the answer.
Explain why Carbon and Hydrogen are included in the reactivity series even though they are non-metals.
A metal oxide can be reduced by carbon but NOT by hydrogen. Between which two elements in the reactivity series does this metal lie?
Aluminium is a reactive metal yet it does not corrode quickly in air. Suggest a reason for this apparent unreactivity. [Supplement]
Section C: Extrapolating & Deducing
Total: 15 marks
Platinum does not react with oxygen, water, or dilute acids. Where should platinum be placed in the reactivity series? Justify your answer.
Metal X reacts vigorously with cold water, producing a hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Metal Y reacts slowly with steam but not with cold water. Place X and Y in the reactivity series relative to Magnesium.
Metal W dissolves in dilute hydrochloric acid. Metal Z does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid. When a strip of W is placed in a solution of Z ions, a coating of Z appears on W. What does this tell you about the relative reactivity of W and Z?
A student heats three metal oxides — Copper(II) oxide, Zinc oxide, and Potassium oxide — with excess carbon. Predict which oxide(s) will be reduced and which will NOT be reduced. Explain your answer.
Iron and copper both react with oxygen to form oxides. When copper(II) oxide is heated with iron, iron(III) oxide forms and copper metal appears. (a) Write a word equation for this reaction. (b) What does this reaction demonstrate about the relative reactivity of iron and copper?
⚠️ Top Examiner Traps — Reactivity Series
🔴 Trap 1: Students forget Aluminium (Al) sits ABOVE Carbon in the series — it cannot be extracted by carbon reduction.
🔴 Trap 2: Hydrogen is a non-metal but IS in the series — between Iron and Copper. Metals above H react with acids; metals below do not.
🔴 Trap 3: Aluminium appears unreactive in everyday life due to its oxide layer — this is Supplement content but often appears in Paper 4.
🔴 Trap 4: "Most reactive first" vs "least reactive first" — read the question carefully every time.
🔴 Trap 5: Silver and Gold are at the BOTTOM — they are below Copper. The order Cu → Ag → Au is frequently tested.
🧠 Memory Mnemonic
"Please Stop Calling Me A Clever Zebra Instead Helping Children Study Geology"
K · Na · Ca · Mg · Al · C · Zn · Fe · H · Cu · Ag · Au
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