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Lesson 34: Reactivity Series (Intro) Order of metals Metals vs carbon Uses of the series
Year 8 • Chemistry
Reactivity Series (Introduction)
In this lesson, students are introduced to the reactivity series, learn the order of metals, compare metals with carbon, and understand how the series is used in extraction and everyday applications.
Lesson Objectives
- Understand what the reactivity series is.
- Recall the order of common metals.
- Compare metals with carbon.
- Explain how the reactivity series is used.
1. What Is the Reactivity Series?
The reactivity series is a list of metals arranged from the most reactive to the least reactive.
[ Image Placeholder – Reactivity Series Ladder ]
Highly reactive metals react quickly with water and oxygen.
Less reactive metals react slowly or not at all.
Less reactive metals react slowly or not at all.
2. Order of Common Metals
Some common metals in the reactivity series are:
[ Image Placeholder – Metals Ordered by Reactivity ]
From most to least reactive (simplified):
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Aluminium
• Iron
• Copper
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Aluminium
• Iron
• Copper
3. Metals and Carbon
Carbon is not a metal, but it is included in the reactivity series for comparison.
[ Image Placeholder – Metals Compared with Carbon ]
Key idea:
• Metals below carbon can be extracted using carbon
• Metals above carbon cannot
• Metals below carbon can be extracted using carbon
• Metals above carbon cannot
4. Uses of the Reactivity Series
The reactivity series helps scientists and engineers make decisions.
[ Image Placeholder – Uses of Reactivity Series ]
Uses include:
• Choosing extraction methods
• Predicting displacement reactions
• Selecting metals for construction
• Choosing extraction methods
• Predicting displacement reactions
• Selecting metals for construction
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
- The reactivity series orders metals by __________.
- Highly reactive metals react __________.
- Carbon is a __________.
- Metals below carbon can be extracted using __________.
- Copper is __________ reactive than iron.
B. True or False
- Potassium is very reactive.
- Carbon is a metal.
- Iron is more reactive than copper.
- All metals can be extracted using carbon.
- The reactivity series helps predict reactions.
C. Short Answer
- What is the reactivity series?
- Name one highly reactive metal.
- Why is carbon included in the series?
- Which metal is less reactive: iron or copper?
- Give one use of the reactivity series.
✅ Show Answer Key
A. Fill in the Blanks
- reactivity
- quickly
- non-metal
- carbon
- less
B. True or False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
C. Short Answer
- A list of metals ordered by reactivity.
- Potassium / sodium.
- To compare extraction methods.
- Copper.
- Predicting extraction or reactions.
© Aviate Learning – Reactivity Series (Year 8)