Metal Activity Series
Metals ranked from most reactive to least reactive, showing their ability to displace other metals and hydrogen.
| Metal | Reactivity |
|---|---|
| Li | Reacts vigorously with cold water |
| K | Reacts vigorously with cold water |
| Ba | Reacts with cold water |
| Ca | Reacts with cold water |
| Na | Reacts vigorously with cold water |
| Mg | Reacts with steam |
| Al | Reacts with steam |
| Zn | Reacts with steam |
| Cr | Reacts with steam |
| Fe | Reacts with steam |
| Ni | Reacts with acids |
| Sn | Reacts with acids |
| Pb | Reacts with acids |
| Cu | Does not react with water or dilute acids |
| Hg | Does not react with water or dilute acids |
| Ag | Does not react with water or dilute acids |
| Pt | Does not react with water or dilute acids |
| Au | Does not react with water or dilute acids |
How to Use the Activity Series
Displacement Reactions
A metal higher in the activity series can displace any metal below it from a solution of its salt. For example, zinc (higher) can displace copper (lower) from a copper sulfate solution:
Zn(s) + CuSO\u2084(aq) \u2192 ZnSO\u2084(aq) + Cu(s)
Hydrogen Displacement
Metals above H\u2082 in the activity series can displace hydrogen from dilute acids. For example, magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas:
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) \u2192 MgCl\u2082(aq) + H\u2082(g)
Metals below H\u2082 (such as Cu, Ag, Au) do not react with dilute acids and cannot displace hydrogen.
Standard Reduction Potentials
The activity series is directly related to standard reduction potentials (E\u00b0). More active metals have more negative E\u00b0 values. Explore the full table of reduction potentials and cell potential calculator in the electrochemistry tool.
Electrochemistry Tool →Related Pages
The activity series is based on experimentally measured standard reduction potentials at 25 \u00b0C in aqueous solution. Reactivity descriptions are generalizations; actual behavior depends on conditions such as temperature, concentration, and the presence of protective oxide layers.