What is the reactivity series?

• A. A list of acids.
• B. A list that ranks metals by their reactivity, allowing predictions about displacement reactions.
• C. A list of pH values.
• D. A list of hydrocarbon fuels.

Answer: (B)

The reactivity series is a ranking of metals by how readily they lose electrons and react. This order lets you predict displacement reactions: a more reactive metal can push a less reactive metal out of its compound in solution. For example, if you put zinc into a solution containing copper ions, zinc will replace the copper because zinc is more reactive, forming zinc ions and solid copper. This series also helps explain how metals are extracted from ores—more reactive metals require stronger methods to extract them, while less reactive ones can sometimes be extracted with carbon. It isn’t about acids, pH values, or hydrocarbon fuels.