The Reactivity Series:
Metals not only have same physical properties, they also undergo many similar chemical reactions. However, one metal may react more or less vigorously with a substance than another metal. The metal that reacts more vigorously is said to be more reactive than the other metal.
In the reactivity series, the metals are arranged in order of decreasing reactivity, i.e. at the top is the most reactive and at the bottom is the least reactive. The reactivity series is as follows:
Potassium (K)
Sodium (Na)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Aluminium (Al)
Carbon (C)
Zinc (Zn)
Iron (Fe)
Tin (Sn)
Lead (Pb)
Hydrogen (H)
Copper (Cu)
Mercury (Hg)
Silver (Ag)
Gold (Au)
Platinum (Pt)
Note how I included non-metals like hydrogen and carbon in the series. You will learn why later. You should learn this reactivity series as it is. It is essential to know it during the paper, especially when dealing with reactions of metals, and displacements. Let us learn more about these.