The reactivity series for metals
I can use experimental evidence to organise several metals in order of their reactivity.
The reactivity series for metals
I can use experimental evidence to organise several metals in order of their reactivity.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 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.
- Some metals react with oxygen to form a metal oxide.
- The reactivity series for metals shows how vigorously metals react, compared to each other.
- The higher the position of a metal in the reactivity series, the more vigorously it is likely to react.
Keywords
Reactivity series for metals - Shows metals placed in order of reactivity with the most reactive metal at the top.
Effervescence - When bubbles of gas are produced in a liquid; another way of saying a liquid is fizzing.
Exothermic - A type of reaction in which energy is transferred from the reactants to the surroundings e.g. combustion.
Common misconception
The reactant disappears during the reaction. Acids and metals react because the acid eats away the metal.
Use word and symbol equations to reinforce the idea that during the reaction new chemicals are produced from the reactants. Demonstrate that metals less reactive than hydrogen will not react with acid.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: The reactivity series for metals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: The 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Materials unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
acid -
a solution that has a pH of less than 7
chemical reaction -
when atoms are rearranged, and changes can be observed, e.g. bubbles
corrosion -
when a metal reduces in size due to a chemical reaction
metal -
a strong, shiny, malleable & ductile thermal and electrical conductor
non-metal -
a not strong, dull, brittle and poor thermal and electrical conductor
Exit quiz
6 Questions
effervescence -
when bubbles of gas are produced in a liquid, so the liquid is fizzing
exothermic -
when energy is transferred from reactants to surroundings
irreversible reaction -
reactants form products, and the reaction goes to completion
reactivity series -
metals placed in order of reactivity; most reactive metal at the top