Production of Materials > 4. Electrochemical Methods >
Identify the relationship between displacement of metal ions in solution by other metals to the relative activity of metals
- In a displacement reaction, the metal that displaces the ions of the other metal is the most reactive.
- Displacement reactions can therefore allow the placement of metals in a series in order of reactivity.
- Activity Series: A series of metals arranged from the most reactive (the most easily oxidised) to the least reactive (the least easily oxidised).
- The following is a reactivity series of some of the most common metals:
- A reactivity series can be used to determine whether a metal will displace the ions of another metal from a solution.
- A metal will displace the ions of any metal to its right in the series.
- Metal reactions are related to the activity series. For example:
- The metals from potassium to lead react with dilute acids, releasing hydrogen gas.
- The metals from potassium to magnesium react with liquid water.