Reactivity Series

In introductory chemistry, the reactivity series or activity series is an empirical series of metals, in order of "reactivity" from highest to lowest. It is used to summarize information about the reactions of metals with acids and water, single displacement reactions and the extraction of metals from their ores.

Metal Ion Reactivity Extraction
Cs Cs+ reacts with water electrolysis
Rb Rb+
K K+
Na Na+
Li Li+
Ba Ba2+
Sr Sr2+
Ca Ca2+
Mg Mg2+ reacts with water
Al Al3+
Ti Ti4+ reacts with concentrated mineral acids Pyrometallurgical extraction using magnesium, or less commonly other Alkali Metals, Hydrogen or Calcium in the Kroll Process.
Mn Mn2+ reacts with acids smelting with coke
Zn Zn2+
Cr Cr2+
Fe Fe2+
Cd Cd2+
Co Co2+
Ni Ni2+
Sn Sn2+
Pb Pb2+
Sb Sb3+ may react with some strongly oxidizing acids heat or
physical extraction
Bi Bi3+
Cu Cu2+
Hg Hg2+
Ag Ag+
Au Au3+
Pt Pt2+

Going from bottom to top the metals:

  • increase in reactivity;
  • lose electrons more readily to form positive ions;
  • corrode or tarnish more readily;
  • require more energy (and different methods) to be separated from their ores;
  • become stronger reducing agents.

Read more about Reactivity Series:  Defining Reactions, Comparison With Standard Electrode Potentials

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