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Reactivity Series

Introduction
Reactivity of elements
> The atoms of the elements in the periodic table react with each other to form new
compounds (except noble gases). The atoms react due to its tendency to lose, gain or
share electrons.
> Metals: The atoms of metal will always lose electrons to form positive ions called
cations. If the atom readily loses electron at room temperature it is said to be reactive
metal than the metal whose atom does not readily lose electron at the room
temperature.
> Non-Metals: The atoms of non-metals gains or shares electrons to form negative ions
called anions, the atoms of non-metals if readily gains electrons it is said to be more
reactive.
> Speed of reaction: We can calculate the speed of reaction of metals by allowing
them to react with water at room temperature and collect the hydrogen gas obtained. If
the temperature of water, the amount of metal and the amount of water is kept constant,
the rate of reactivity can be calculated.

Why displacement reaction?

> To arrange the metals in the increasing or decreasing order of their reactivity one of
the commonly used experiment is by checking their displacement rate. This is a reliable
technique used, because aluminium is actually a reactive metal but due to the protective
coating of aluminium oxide on it, the results may show that aluminium’s reactivity rate is
slow.
> Hence the displacement reaction is used to arrange the metals in the reactivity series.

Metal Displacement Reactions

> A more reactive metal will displace (take the place of) a less reactive metal in a metal
salt solution.

Non-Metal Displacement Reactions

> This is similar to the metal displacement reactions. In case of halogens, more reactive
non-metal will displace the less reactive one from its place.

Metal displacement

> For example, in a given chemical reaction:

> Copper (II) sulphate is blue in colour. When iron nail is dipped in this solution, reaction
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takes place and blue colour disappears and turns greenish and the iron metal gets
coated with pink-brown copper metal.
> A more reactive metal will always displace a less reactive metal.
> If a less reactive metal is added to a more reactive metal salt solution then there will
be no reaction.
> For example, iron is less reactive than zinc.
Iron + Zinc sulphate —> No reaction.
> In displacement reactions, the metals compete for the non-metal anion. Here, in the
above reaction it is S042- ion.
> The order of the metals in the reactivity series can be worked out by using these type
of reactions.

Reactivity series
> The arrangement of metals in decreasing order of their reactivity is called reactivity
series or activity series of metals.

Mnemonic Element Symbol Reactivity

Put Potassium K As you can see these metals (excluding

carbon, as carbon is used for the reduction of

Some Sodium Na metal from metal oxide ore, all metals below

Light Lithium Li carbon are reduced by it) are above

Color Calcium Ca hydrogen in the reactivity series so they react

Metal Magnesium Mg with acids and displace hydrogen gas.

Around Aluminium Al
Metal + Acid —> Metal salt + Hydrogen
Carbon Carbon C

Zone Zinc Zn

In Iron Fe

The Tin Sn

Light Lead Pb
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Here Hydrogen H H+ ions are responsible for acidic properties.

Comes Copper Cu These elements are below hydrogen so they

Metals Mercury Hg do not react with acids. (Acids contain

Silver Silver Ag H+ ions)

Gold Gold Au
Exception: Copper reacts with concentrated
Platinum Platinum Pt
nitric acid, the nitrate ions oxidize copper.

Note: When metals react with nitric acid they do not release hydrogen gas (except
magnesium and manganese) because nitric acid acts as a strong oxidizing agent.

EXPERIMENT 4
Aim
(i) To observe the action ofZn, Fe, Cu and Al metals on the following salt solutions:
(a) ZnSO4(aq.)
(b) FeSO4(aq.)
(c) CuSO4 (aq.)
(d) Al2(SO4)3(aq.)
(ii) Arrange Zn, Fe, Cu and Al metals in the decreasing order of reactivity based on the
above result.

Theory
> Reactivity series: The arrangement of metals in decreasing order of their reactivity is
called reactivity series. The most reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from
its salt solution.
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> Metal salts are coloured

> Reaction of Metals with Salt Solution

(i) Salt solution CuSO4.

As Al, Zn and Fe can displace Cu from its salt solution hence, all three are more
reactive than Cu.
(ii) Salt solution FeSO4.

As Zn and Al can displace Fe from its salt solution hence, Zn and A1 are more reactive
than Fe but Cu is less reactive than Fe.
(iii) Salt solution ZnSO4.

As only Al metal displaces Zn from its salt solution hence, Al is the most reactive metal
among Al, Zn, Fe and Cu.
Al > Zn > Fe > Cu.

Materials Required
Four clean test tubes, marker, a piece of sand paper and test tube stand.
Chemicals required: Aluminium sulphate solution, copper sulphate solution, zinc
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sulphate solution, iron sulphate solution, metal strips of iron, zinc; copper and
aluminium.
Procedure
> Reaction with CuSO4 solution:
1. Take four clean test tubes.
2. With a marker label them as A, B, C and D.
3. Take copper sulphate solution in each test tube.
4. Dip a small, clean piece of aluminium, zinc, iron and copper metals in test tubes A, B,
C and D respectively.
5. Record your observations.

Conclusion: Al, Zn and Fe metals are more reactive than Cu. Hence, Cu is the least
reactive metal among the given four metals.
> Reaction with FeSO4 solution:
1. Take four clean test tubes, labelled as A, B, C, and D.
2. Take FeSO4 (aq) solution in each test tube.
3. Dip small, clean pieces of aluminium, zinc, iron and copper metals in test tube A, B, C
and D respectively.
4. Record your observations.

Conclusion: Al and Zn metals are more reactive than Fe and Cu.

> Reaction with ZnSO4 solution:

1. Take test tubes A, B, C, and D, clean them.
2. Add ZnSO4 solution in each test tube.
3. Dip small, clean pieces of Al, Zn, Fe and Cu metal in test tube A, B, C and D
respectively.
4. Record your observations.
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Conclusion: Al metal is more reactive than Zn metal.

> Reaction with Al2(SO4)3 solution:

1. Take test tubes A, B, C, and D and clean them.
2. Add Al2(SO4)3 solution in each test tube.
3. Dip small, clean pieces of Al, Zn, Fe and Cu metal in test tubes A, B, C and D
respectively.
4. Record your observations.

Conclusion: Al metal is not displaced by any of the given metals i.e. Al, Zn, Fe and Cu.

Hence, Al metal is the most reactive metal among the given metals.
1. Al is not displaced by any of the four metals from its salt solution, hence, Al is at the
top of the reactivity series.
2. Al can displace Zn from its salt solution but no other metal could displace it. Hence,
the reactivity order is Al > Zn.
3. Al and Zn metals can displace Fe metal from its salt solution but Cu cannot.
Hence, the arrangement of metals in decreasing reactivity order is
Al > Zn > Fe > Cu.

I. CuSO4 solution in each test tube.

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II. FeSO4 solution in each test tube.

III. ZnSO4 solution in each test tube.

IV. Al2(SO4)3 solution in each test tube.

Precautions
1. Clean the metals by rubbing them with a piece of sand paper before dipping them in
the salt solutions.
2. Wash the test tubes after every set of observations of interaction of a particular metal
with the four salt solution.
3. Use very little amount of saturated solution of copper sulphate, aluminium sulphate,
iron sulphate and zinc sulphate.
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4. Use very small pieces of metal every time.

5. Do not touch any chemical.

Viva Voce
Question 1:
What is the colour of copper sulphate solution?
Answer:
The colour of copper sulphate solution is blue.

Question 2:
What is the colour of iron sulphate solution?
Answer:
The colour of iron sulphate solution is green.

Question 3:
When we add Fe in FeSO4 solution, no change is seen. Why?
Answer:
It is because Fe does not react with FeSO4 solution.

Question 4:
Name one metal which when added to blue CuSO4 solution changes it to green colour.

Answer:
Iron metal reacts with blue-coloured copper sulphate solution and changes it into green
colour.

Question 5:
What is the colour of Al 2(SO4)3 solution?
Answer:
Al2(SO4)3 solution is colourless.

Question 6:
Complete the given chemical equation Fe(s) + CuSO 4(aq) —>
Answer:
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) —> FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

Practical Based Questions

Question 1:
What is the activity series of metals?
Answer:
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The arrangement of metals in the decreasing order of their reactivity is called activity
series of metals.

Question 2:
What is displacement reaction?
Answer:
When a more reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from its salt solution, it is
called displacement reaction.

Question 3:
What happens when a piece of zinc metal is introduced into a freshly prepared solution
of ferrous sulphate?
Answer:
The colour of ferrous sulphate solution is green and when zinc is added to it the colour
fades and becomes colourless.

Question 4:
What happens when Fe (Iron) metal is added to blue colour copper sulphate solution?
Answer:
Iron metal reacts with copper sulphate solution to displace copper and form iron
sulphate that is green in colour.
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) —> FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

Question 5:
What happens when A1 metal is added to copper sulphate solution?
Answer:
Al metal reacts with copper sulphate solution to form aluminium sulphate and copper
metal is displaced.

Question 6:
Name the least reactive metal among the following: Fe, Zn, Al.
Answer:
Fe is the least reactive metal among Fe, Zn, and AT

Question 7:
What will happen if Fe metal is added to ZnSO 4 solution?
Answer:
No reaction will take place, as Fe metal is less reactive than Zn.

Question 8:
Arrange the given metals in the reactivity series:
Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Al
Answer:
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The reactivity series of metals is

Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu

Question 9:
Name some metals that will react with aluminium sulphate solution, i.e., Al 2(SO4)3.
Answer:
Metals like calcium, sodium and magnesium will react with aluminium sulphate solution.

Question 10:
When you keep aluminium strip in FeSO4 solution, what change is seen?
Answer:
Aluminium is more reactive than Fe hence it displaces Fe from FeS04 and green colour
of FeSO4disappears.

Question 11:
Why is Fe metal more reactive than copper metal?
Answer:
Fe readily loses electrons as compared to copper. Hence, it is more reactive than
copper metal.

Question 12:
How can you test that a given sample contains water or not?
Answer:
On heating copper sulphate crystals the blue colour of copper slowly changes to light
blue and then colourless. The water droplets are collected on the inner part of the test
tube.

Question 14:
It is regarded that each molecule of copper sulphate crystals at room temperature
contains five water molecules as water of crystallisation. Do you see any difference in
them? (Hint: Look at the dehydration reaction of copper sulphate)
Answer:
In one molecule of copper sulphate, five water molecules are present to form crystal.
The blue colour of the crystals is due to these five water molecules. But, in anhydrous
copper sulphate the water molecules are not present.

NCERT Lab Manual Questions

Question 1:
Why does the colour of copper sulphate solution change, when an iron nail is dipped in
it?
Answer:
The iron nail reacts with copper sulphate displace copper and form iron sulphate . Due
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to the displacement reaction the blue colour of copper sulphate changes to green colour
of iron sulphate.

Question 2:
How would you devise the procedure to show that Mg > Fe > Cu in reactivity series?
What is the basic principle involved in this Experiment?
Answer:
I will react each metal (Mg, Fe and Cu) with the salt solutions of Mg, Fe and Cu. The
metal that will displace two metal ions from the salt solutions will be the most reactive
and the one which will not show any colour change in the solutions is the least reactive.
Principle: The most reactive metal will displace the less reactive metal.

Question 3:
Why does the following reaction takes place?
2I– (aq) + Cl2 (aq) —> 2l– (aq) + I2 (solvated)
Answer:
This is the displacement reaction seen among halogens. Chlorine is more reactive than
iodine and hence it displaces iodide ion.

Question 4:
In the following reaction, A and B are metals. BX is a salt of metal B.
A + BX —> AX + B
Which one of the two metals is more reactive? Give reason.
Answer:
Metal A is more reactive than B, because metal A displaces metal B from its salt
solution.

Question 5:
Name any two metals that are more reactive than iron.
Answer:
Zinc and magnesium.

Question 6:
Why did the colour of copper (II) sulphate solution, change, when zinc metal was dipped
in it?
Answer:
Zinc is more reactive than copper and displaces copper from its solution. Hence, the
blue colour of copper sulphate solution becomes colourless.

Question 7:
What is your observation when copper is added in iron (II) sulphate solution?
Answer:
Copper is less reactive than iron and cannot displace iron from iron sulphate solution
and there is no colour change.
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Question 8:
Why can we safely preserve iron (II) sulphate in a copper vessel whereas the same
can’t be safely preserved in zinc vessel?
Answer:
Copper is less reactive than iron and cannot react with iron sulphate. Whereas zinc is
more reactive than iron and hence it can react with iron sulphate.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Questions based on Procedural and Manipulative Skills
1. When an iron strip was placed in the copper sulphate
solution, the time required for the colour of the solution to change from blue to green will
be less if:
(a) it is cooled
(b) it is shaken
(c) it is kept undisturbed
(d) it is heated.

2. The colour of zinc sulphate solution is

(a) white
(b) green
(c) yellow
(d) colourless.

3. Which of the following reaction will not occur?

(a) Al + ZnSO4
(b) Zn + ZnSO4
(c) Cu + ZnSO4
(d) Mg + ZnSO4.

4. Which of the following reaction will take place?

(a) Fe + FeSO4
(b) Cu + FeSO4
(c) Au + FeSO4
(d) Mg + ZnSO4.

5. To show that zinc is more reactive than copper, the correct procedure is to
(a) prepare copper sulphate solution and dip a zinc strip in it.
(b) prepare copper sulphate solution and dip a copper strip in it.
(c) heat zinc and copper strips.
(d) add dilute nitric acid on both the strips.

6. On adding iron strip in copper sulphate solution, the reaction takes long time, to make
it happen fast we can:
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(a) add more iron strips

(b) add more copper sulphate solution
(c) heat the container of reactants
(d) heat iron and add in copper sulphate.

7. You are given two test tubes A and B, with solutions ZnS04 and A12(S04)3, both are
colourless. To identify the solutions,
(a) add Zn in test tube A and B
(b) add A1 in test tube A and B
(c) first add Zn and then A1 in test tubes A and B
(d) all the above are correct.

8. Two metals which can displace iron from its solution are:
(a) copper and zinc
(b) zinc and tin
(c) silver and aluminium
(d) zinc and aluminium.

9. P + QR → PQ + R. In the above reaction,

(a) Q displaces P
(b) R is displaced by P
(c) P displaces Q
(d) R displaces Q.

10. Two beakers A and B contain Iron (II) sulphate solution. In the beaker A is placed a
small piece of copper and in the beaker B is placed a small piece of zinc. It is found that
a grey deposit forms on the zinc but not on the copper. From these observations it can
be concluded.
(a) Zinc is most active metal followed by iron and copper.
(b) Zinc is most active metal followed by copper and then iron.
(c) Iron is most active metal followed by zinc and then copper.
(d) Iron is most active metal followed by copper and then zinc.

Questions based on Observational Skills

11. A student took Cu, Fe, Zn and Al strips separately in four test tubes labelled I, II, III
and IV respectively. He added 10 mL of freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution to
each test tube as shown below:
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Black residue would be obtained in test tubes:

(a) I and II (b) I and III
(c) II and III (d) III and IV.

12. Aluminium powder was added to a solution of copper sulphate. The colour of the
solution changed from:
(a) colourless to blue
(b) blue to colourless
(c) light green to blue
(d) reddish-brown to light green.

13. The colour of the coating obtained on a zinc rod on dipping in aqueous copper
sulphate solution will be
(a) blue (b) brown
(c) white (d) green.

14. Which one is not observed when aluminium is added to a solution of copper
sulphate?
(a) The solution is blue in the beginning.
(b) The final solution becomes colourless.
(c) The final solution becomes light green.
(d) A brown mass is deposited on the surface of aluminium.

15. Copper turnings were added to colourless salt solution. After 10 minutes it was
observed that the colourless solution turned to a coloured solution and a shiny metal
deposition appears. The colour of the solution and that of the metal would respectively
be
(a) yellow and Zn (b) green and Fe (c) red and Sn (d) blue and Ag.

16. Iron filings were added to an aqueous solution of copper sulphate. After some time,
on observation, it was found that the colour of the solution has changed from
(a) blue to pale green (b) blue to dark green (c) blue to colourless (d) blue to reddish-
brown.
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17. Zinc granules were added to zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, aluminium sulphate
and iron sulphate solutions as shown below. You would observe the deposition of metal
on zinc in test tubes

(a) I and III (b) II and IV

(c) I and II (d) III and IV.

18. A student added a piece of zinc metal in four different test tubes containing different
solutions. In which test tube he observed no change?
(a) Test tube with CuSO4 solution
(b) Test tube with AgNO3 solution
(c) Test tube with ZnSO4 solution
(d) Test tube with FeSO4 solution.

19. A student performed the following four experiments:

He would find the formation of solid deposition on

metal in experiments
(a) II, III (b) I, III
(c) I, II, III (d) II, III, IV.

20. A piece of granulated zinc was dropped into copper sulphate solution. After some
time, the colour of the solution changed from
(a) light green to blue
(b) blue to colourless
(c) light green to colourless
(d) blue to yellow.
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21. A strip of copper was placed in a beaker containing zinc sulphate solution. On
observing the strip the next day, it was noticed that
(a) the copper strip remained as it was
(b) the copper strip became thinner
(c) the copper strip became thicker
(d) the colour of the strip changed.

22. When a few crystals of copper sulphate are dissolved

in water, the colour of the solution obtained would be:
(a) green (b) red
(c) blue (d) brown.

23. Iron filings were added to a solution of copper sulphate. After 10 minutes, it was
observed that blue colour of the solution changes and a layer gets deposited on iron
filings. The colour of the solution and that of the coating would respectively be
(a) yellow and green
(b) brown and blue
(c) red and greenish-blue
(d) green and reddish-brown.

24. Iron spoon was placed in a glass container holding zinc sulphate solution. What is
the right observation?
(a) Zinc sulphate will become green.
(b) Glass container will get cracks.
(c) Iron spoon will get holes in it.
(d) Iron spoon will not show any change.

25. When an aluminium strip is kept immersed in freshly prepared ferrous sulphate
solution taken in a test tube, the change observed is
(a) the green solution slowly turns blue.
(b) the lower end of the test tube becomes slightly warm.
(c) a colourless gas with a smell of burning sulphur is observed.
(d) light green solution changes to blue.

26. Solutions of FeSO4, ZnSO4, CuSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 solutions were separately taken in
four test tubes and some iron nails were placed in each of the solutions. After a few
minutes, it would be observed that the colour of
(a) all the four solutions changed.
(b) solution of ZnSO4, CuSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 changed and that of FeSO4 did not change.
(c) solution of ZnSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 only changed.
(d) copper sulphate solution only changed.

27. When you place iron nail in copper sulphate solution, the reddish brown coating
formed on the nail is
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(a) soft and dull.

(b) hard and flaky.
(c) smooth and shining
(d) rough and granular.

Questions based on Reporting and Interpretation Skills

28. 10 mL of freshly prepared iron sulphate was taken in

each of four test tubes. Strips of copper, iron, zinc and aluminium were introduced, each
metal in a different test tube. A black residue was obtained in two of them.
The right pair of metals forming the precipitates is
(a) Copper and zinc
(b) aluminium and copper
(c) iron and aluminium
(d) zinc and aluminium

29. Four students were assigned separately the experiment of interaction of an iron nail
with a solution of copper sulphate. Each group recorded the observations as [ given
below in the table. Which group of students recorded the observations correctly?

30. A student took four test tubes containing solutions of different colours marked I, II,
III, and IV as shown below. The test tubes containing copper sulphate solution and
ferrous sulphate solution could be the tubes:
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31. Four students A, B, C and D noted the initial colour of the solutions in test tubes I. II,
III and IV. After inserting
zinc rod in each solution and leaving it undisturbed for two hours, they noted the colour
of each solution again.

They recorded their observations in the form of table given below:

Students Colour of solution I II III IV

A Initial Colourless Colourless Light green Blue
Final Colourless Colourless Colourless Colourless

B Initial Colourless Light yellow Light green Blue

Final Colourless Colourless Light green Colourless

C Initial Colourless Colourless Light green Blue

Final Light blue Colourless Colourless Light blue

D Initial Light green Colourless Light green Blue

Final Colourless Colourless Dark green Colourless

Which student noted the colour change in all the four test tubes correctly?
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D.

32. Aluminium sulphate and copper sulphate solutions were taken in two test tubes I
and II respectively. A few pieces of iron filings were then added to both the solutions.
The four students A, B, C and D recorded their observations in the form of a table as
given below.
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Students (I) Al2(SO4)3 Solution (II) Copper Sulphate Solution

A Colourless solution changes to light green Blue colour of the solution is retained.

B Colourless solution remains unchanged Blue solution changes to green.

C Colourless solution changes to light blue Blue colour changes to light green.

D Colourless solution remains unchanged Blue colour of the solution fades away.

The correct set of observations have been recorded by student

(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D.

Scoring Key With Explanaion

1. (d) Heat increases the rate of reaction.
2. (d) Zinc salt solutions are colourless.
3. (c) Cu is less reactive than Zn.
4. (d) Mg is more reactive than Zn.
5. (a) This will show displacement reaction.
6. (c) Increase in temperature speeds up the reaction.
7. (d) All tests will help in identifying the solutions.
8. (d) Both are more reactive than Fe.
9. (b) R is removed from the compound and exists freely.
10. (a) Copper does not react, but zinc reacts with ferrous sulphate solution.
Thus, zinc is more reactive followed by iron and copper.
11. (d) Zn and Al are more reactive than Fe and can displace it.
12. (b) Copper salt is blue in colour and aluminium salts are colourless.
13. (b) Cu is displaced by Zn which is brown in colour.
14. (c) Aluminium salt is colourless and not green in colour.
15. (d) Copper is more reactive than Ag.
16. (a) Fe displaces copper ions.
17. (b) Zinc is more reactive than Cu and Fe.
18. (c) Equilibrium is seen.
19. (c) As per reactivity series.
20. (b) Zinc salt solutions are not coloured.
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21. (a) Copper is less reactive than zinc.

22. (c) Cu salt is blue coloured.
23. (d) Ferrous salts are green.
24. (d) Iron is less reactive than Zn.
25. (b) It shows thermite reaction and heat is evolved.
26. (d) Cu is the least reactive metal and can be displaced by all the metals given.
27. (a) The freshly deposited copper is soft and dull.
28. (d) Zinc and alufninium being more reactive will replace iron from iron sulphate.
29. (d) Fe will displace Cu ions to give green colour solution and Cu metal is brown
coated.
30. (d) Copper sulphate is blue and ferrous sulphate is green in colour.
31. (a) In first two test tubes, the metal will not react but in other two it will react.
32. (b) Fe is less reactive than Al but more reactive than Cu. Hence, displacement
reaction will occur.