(d) Reactivity series

Understand how metals can be arranged in a reactivity series based on their reactions with:

• water
• dilute hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.

Understand how metals can be arranged in a reactivity series based on their displacement reactions between:

• metals and metal oxides
• metals and aqueous solutions of metal salts.

Know the order of reactivity of these metals: potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, gold

Know the conditions under which iron rusts

Understand how the rusting of iron may be prevented by:

• barrier methods
• galvanising
• sacrificial protection.

Understand the terms:

• oxidation
• reduction
• redox
• oxidising agent
• reducing agent in terms of gain or loss of oxygen and loss or gain of electrons.

Practical: investigate reactions between dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids and metals (e.g. magnesium, zinc and iron)