Science·Matter & Materials·conceptual
The Reactivity Series
Order common metals in the reactivity series and explain how a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one; describe how carbon is used to extract metals from their oxides in industry
Suggested ages 12–14
Evidence of understanding
- Recalls the order of common metals in the reactivity series (potassium to gold)
- Predicts whether a displacement reaction will occur given two metals
- Explains why carbon can be used to extract iron from iron oxide but not aluminium from aluminium oxide
- Links the reactivity series to the history of metal use (gold found free, iron smelted, aluminium electrolytic)
Assessment prompt
If The Reactivity Series was asked why humans used gold and copper before iron and aluminium, could they explain how a metal's reactivity determines how easy it is to extract — and why carbon can extract some metals but not others?
Standards alignment
KS3.Sci.Chem.MAT.1GB · uk-nc-2013
Reactivity Series
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3
KS3.Sci.Chem.MAT.2GB · uk-nc-2013
Obtaining Metals using Carbon
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3
KS3.Sci.Chem.PT.6GB · uk-nc-2013
Chemical Reactions of Metals
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3