Activity Series of Metals

Activity Series of Metals

The following table shows the activity series for some of the more common metals in order of deceasing reactivity, with the most reactive metal at the top of the list. It should not be surprising to you to find the alkali metals (section 4.3.1) at the top of the list and the more unreactive metals at the bottom of the list.

This is a reference table and will be available to you in examinations. Do not attempt to memorize this table.

Lithium	Li --> Li⁺ + e^-
Potassium	K --> K⁺ + e^-
Barium	Ba --> Ba²⁺ + 2 e^-
Calcium	Ca --> Ca²⁺ + 2 e^-
Sodium	Na --> Na⁺ + e^-
Magnesium	Mg --> Mg²⁺ + 2 e^-
Aluminum	Al --> Al³⁺ + 3 e^-
Manganese	Mn --> Mn²⁺ + 2 e^-
Zinc	Zn --> Zn²⁺ + 2 e^-
Chromium	Cr --> Cr³⁺ + 3 e^-
Iron	Fe --> Fe²⁺ + 2 e^-
Cobalt	Co --> Co²⁺ + 2 e^-
Nickel	Ni --> Ni²⁺ + 2 e^-
Tin	Sn --> Sn²⁺ + 2 e^-
Lead	Pb --> Pb²⁺ + 2 e^-
Hydrogen	H₂ --> 2 H⁺ + 2 e^-
Copper	Cu --> Cu²⁺ + 2 e^-
Silver	Ag --> Ag⁺ + e^-
Mercury	Hg --> Hg²⁺ + 2 e^-
Platinum	Pt --> Pt²⁺ + 2 e^-
Gold	Au --> Au³⁺ + 3 e^-

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