What is the reactivity series? Using two displacement reactions, show that iron is more reactive than copper and copper more reactive than silver.

1. 1 · Define. The reactivity series arranges metals in decreasing order of reactivity: K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, H, Cu, Hg, Ag, Au.
2. 2 · Iron and copper. Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu: iron displaces copper, so iron is more reactive.
3. 3 · Copper and silver. Cu + 2AgNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag: copper displaces silver. Silver in CuSO₄ shows no reaction.
4. 4 · The rule. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its salt solution.
5. 5 · Real life. Copper sulphate solution is never stored in iron vessels.
6. 6 · Close in one line. So displacement reactions let us place metals in order.

Scoring tip: Write what you see (a coating, a colour change) as well as the equation. Observations earn their own mark.