Reactivity Series of Metals and Nonmetals

Reactivity series of metals and nonmetals are the lists, in which we arrange them in the decreasing order of their chemical activity. It is also known as the activity series. The reactivity series helps us to predict the capability of a metal to displace another metal during a displacement reaction. It also determines the reactivity of a particular metal with oxygen, cold water, hot water or steam, and acid.

Chemistry is all about chemical reactions. During chemical reactions, two or more substances when put in close contact, react with each other to form new substances. However, the intensity with which they react depends upon their position in the reactivity series.

METAL REACTIVITY SERIES

Definition of metal reactivity series –

Metal reactivity series is a list in which metals are arranged in the decreasing order of their chemical activity.

Metal activity or reactivity series finds its utility in the study of displacement reactions. It helps us to predict whether particular metal can displace another metal from a compound or not.

In a displacement reaction, a metal higher up in the reactivity series displaces all other metals in a compound, which lies below it. For example, zinc being more active than copper replaces it with copper sulfate in the solution state to form zinc sulfate and free copper.

The activity of a metal depends upon its capability to lose electrons in the solution state to form positive ions. The more readily metal loses its electrons, the more active it is, and the higher up it is in the reactivity series. Among the most commonly known metals, the most active cesium is at the top and the least active platinum is at the bottom of the reactivity series.

Special Features of the Reactivity or Activity Series of Metals:

1. The ease, with which a metal in solution loses electrons and forms a positive ion, decreases down the series, i.e., from cesium to platinum.
2. Although a non-metal, hydrogen is included in the reactivity series of metals. It is because, like metals, it too loses an electron and becomes a positively charged (H⁺) ion.
3. Metals at the top of the reactivity series have the ability to displace metals that are placed lower from their salt solutions.
4. The activity series facilitates the comparative study of the metals in terms of the degree of their reactivity.
5. Metals at the top of the reactivity series are difficult to obtain from their ores.

The table below, explain the reactions of metals with oxygen (air), water, dilute acids, and other salt solutions, at various level of the reactivity series.

NONMETAL REACTIVITY OR ACTIVITY SERIES

Definition of reactivity of nonmetals–

Nonmetal activity series is a list in which nonmetals are arranged in the decreasing order of their reactivity.

Similar to metals, we can also arrange nonmetals in terms of their reactivity. During displacement reactions, a more active nonmetal displaces a less active nonmetal from a compound.

The activity of a nonmetal depends upon its capability to gain electrons in the solution state to form positive ions. The more readily nonmetal gains electrons, the more active it is, and the higher up it is in the reactivity series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which is the most active or reactive metal?

Ans. Cesium and francium are the most reactive metals and are at the top of the reactivity series. However, the quantity of francium produced until now is too little. Therefore, for all practical purposes, we consider cesium as the most reactive metal.

Cesium reaction with water. Video by Periodic Videos

Q2. Which is the least active or reactive metal?

Ans. Platinum is one of the least reactive metals and therefore lies at the bottom of the reactivity series. It has remarkable resistance to corrosion, even at high temperatures, and is therefore considered a noble metal. Due to its low reactivity, it found uses in the manufacture of laboratory equipment, electrodes, platinum resistance thermometers, dentistry equipment, and jewelry.

Q3. Which is the most active or reactive nonmetal?

Ans. Fluorine is the most active nonmetals and it displaces all other nonmetals in salt solutions.

Q4. What determines the reactivity of metals?

Ans. We determine the reactivity of metals, upon their capability to lose electrons in the solution state to form positive ions or cations. Therefore, the more readily metal loses its electrons, the more active it is, and higher up it is in the reactivity series.

Q5. What determines the reactivity of nonmetals?

Ans. We determine the reactivity of nonmetals, upon their capability to gain electrons in the solution state to form negatively charged ions or anions. Therefore, nonmetals that gain electrons rapidly are more active than others.

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