Developing a reactivity series for metals
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare the reactions of different metals with water and dilute acids in order to work out the reactivity series for metals.
Key learning points
- A more reactive element will replace a less reactive element in a compound (displacement).
- The more easily a metal atom forms a positive ion, the more reactive it is.
- Some metals react with acid to produce a metal salt and hydrogen gas.
- Some metals react with water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
- Carbon is a non-metal element often included in the reactivity series between aluminium and zinc.
Keywords
Ion - An ion is an atom or group of atoms with a positive or negative charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.
Salt - A salt is an ionic compound formed from positive and negative ions electrostatically attracted to each other.
Reactivity series - The reactivity series shows metals placed in order of reactivity with the most reactive metal at the top.
Displacement - Displacement is where a more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive element in a compound.
Common misconception
Thinking that a metal and acid react together to produce salt and water.
Use symbol equations to show how hydrogen is produced, rather than water, due to the absence of oxygen atoms.
Teacher tip
Practical ideas include: demo of alkali metals and water, class practical reacting different metals with acid, and microscale displacement reactions.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why is the metal gold used to make jewellery?
Q2.Metals lose electrons to form ions.
Q3.When a metal reacts with an acid, one of the products is a salt. What is the other product?
Q4.When magnesium reacts with nitric acid what is the name of the salt produced?
Q5.Potassium, sodium and lithium are highly reactive metals. Which of the following statements about these metals are correct?
Q6.Match the following keywords to the correct definition.
building block of all matter
an atom, or group of atoms, with a positive or negative charge
not chemically reactive
a more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive element
ionic compound formed from positive and negative ions
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name of the reaction where a more reactive element will take the place of a less reactive element in a compound?
Q2.Which of the following statements about the reaction shown are correct?
calcium + iron sulfate → calcium sulfate + iron
Q3.Why is potassium more reactive than iron?
Q4.The non–metal carbon is positioned between which two metals in the reactivity series?
Q5.Which of the following substances are products of the reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid?
Q6.Which of the following substances are products of the reaction between lithium and water?
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Developing a reactivity series for metals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Developing a reactivity series for metals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Using Earth's resources unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.