Activity Series of the Elements
The Activity Series of the metals is an invaluable aid to predicting the products of replacement reactions. It also can be used as an aid in predicting products of some other reactions. Pay attention to the notes below as they are provided to help you make better use of the activity series than just the list of metals by themselves.
1. Each element on the list replaces from a compound in aqueous solution any of the elements below it. The larger the interval between elements, the more vigorous the reaction.
2. The first seven elements (lithium - sodium) are known as very active metals and they react with cold water to produce the hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
3. The next five metals (magnesium - chromium) are considered active metals and they will react with very hot water or steam to form the oxide and hydrogen gas.
4. The oxides of all of these first metals resist reduction by H2.
5. The next six metals (iron - lead) replace hydrogen from HCl and dil. sulfuric and nitric acids. Their oxides undergo decomposition by heating with H2, carbon, and carbon monoxide.
6. The metals lithium - copper, can combine directly with oxygen to form the oxide.
- The last five metals (mercury - gold) are often found free in nature, their oxides decompose with mild heating, and they form oxides only indirectly
Metal / Reactivity / Non-Metal / Halogen Reactivity
Lithium / React with cold Water and
Acids, replacing hydrogen.
React readily with Oxygen forming oxides. / F2 / Anion above replaces Anion below on list.
Rubdium / Cl2
Potassium / Br2
Barium / I2
Strontium
Calcium
Sodium
Magnesium / React with Steam(Not Cold H2O)
and Acids, replacing hydrogen.
React readily with oxygen forming Oxides
Aluminum
Manganese
Zinc
Chromium
Iron / ¯The metal oxides below decompose¯
Cadmium / in presence of heat & hydrogen
Cobalt / React with Acids but not water
to replace hydrogen
React readily with oxygen forming Oxides
Nickel
Tin
Lead
Hydrogen / React readily with oxygen.
forming Oxides
Antimony
Arsenic
Bismuth
Copper
Mercury / Mostly non-reactive
Decompose upon heating alone
Silver
Palladium
Platinum
Gold