Reactivity series
Edexcel GCSE Chemistry revision on Reactivity series. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 1CH0 specification. This bank has 8 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 8)
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Question 1
Which is the MOST reactive metal in this list?
- A) Iron
- B) Magnesium
- C) Copper
- D) Gold
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Answer: Magnesium
Reactivity series (top - most reactive): potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, gold. Gold is least reactive - that's why it's found pure in nature and used in jewellery for millennia. Reactivity decreases roughly as you go down the table; more reactive metals displace less reactive ones from compounds.
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Question 2
A more reactive metal will DISPLACE a less reactive metal from its compound. So iron + copper sulfate ->
- A) No reaction
- B) Iron sulfate + copper
- C) Iron + sulfur
- D) Iron oxide + copper
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Answer: Iron sulfate + copper
Iron is higher in the reactivity series than copper. Fe + CuSO4 -> FeSO4 + Cu. You'd see blue copper sulfate solution turning paler (Fe2+ is pale green) and pink copper plating onto the iron. Useful in extracting copper from low-grade ores (displacement with scrap iron). Cannot run in reverse - copper would NOT displace iron from FeSO4.
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Question 3
Which metal is found in its pure state in nature because it is so unreactive?
- A) Sodium
- B) Aluminium
- C) Iron
- D) Gold
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Answer: Gold
Gold (bottom of the reactivity series) doesn't react with oxygen, water, or acids in normal conditions. So gold nuggets stayed unoxidised for millions of years. Same with platinum. Reactive metals (Na, K) react with air or water instantly - never found as pure metal in nature. Metals between (Fe, Cu, Pb) are found as ores - oxides, sulfides, etc. - which we extract.
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5 more questions on Reactivity series — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Chemistry spec.