Chemistry 0620 · IGCSE
Reactivity series
100 practice questions on Reactivity series, with worked solutions and instant marking.
Which metal reacts with steam but does not react with cold water?
Feb/March 2016
Two experiments are performed. In experiment 1, copper is heated with steam. In experiment 2, copper(II) oxide is heated with carbon. Which row gives the description of what occurs in experiments 1 and 2?
Feb/March 2017
Metals show characteristic properties.
Feb/March 2017
Metals W, X, Y and Z are each treated with dilute hydrochloric acid. The oxides of metals W, X, Y and Z are then heated in the presence of carbon. The outcomes are shown. What order are the metals in, from most reactive to least reactive?
Feb/March 2018
Iron is obtained from $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$ by reducing it with carbon. It is hard to extract aluminium from $\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$. Electrolysis is required for this process. Beginning with the most reactive, which reactivity order is correct?
Feb/March 2018
Two metals are joined together to form a simple cell, as illustrated. The table gives the voltmeter reading when different metals are used. If metal 2 is more reactive than metal 1, the measured voltage is positive. The larger the difference in the reactivity of the metals, the bigger the voltmeter reading. What is the order of reactivity?
Feb/March 2018
A portion of solid X was placed into three separate solutions in order to estimate where X sits in the reactivity series. $X(s) + \text{FeSO}_4(aq) \rightarrow$ no reaction $X(s) + 2\text{HCl}(aq) \rightarrow X\text{Cl}_2(aq) + \text{H}_2(g)$ $X(s) + \text{Zn(NO}_3)_2(aq) \rightarrow$ no reaction Which other solution would react with solid X?
Feb/March 2018
Hydrochloric acid with a concentration of 1.2 mol/dm^{3} is used, while every other condition stays unchanged.
Feb/March 2018
The table shows the position of some metals and hydrogen in the reactivity series. Metal X is included too. highest reactivity: K, Mg, Zn, H, X, Cu: lowest reactivity Which row gives the correct properties of metal X?
Feb/March 2019
The list shows the arrangement of some metals and hydrogen in the reactivity series. Metal X is included as well. most reactive: K, Mg, Zn, H, X, Cu: least reactive Which row correctly displays the properties of metal X?
Feb/March 2019
Manganese, nickel and silver are metals. Samples of powdered manganese, nickel and silver were put into separate test-tubes of dilute hydrochloric acid. The observations are shown. What is the order of reactivity of the metals, from most reactive to least reactive?
Feb/March 2020
Iron, copper, magnesium and Y are each heated on their own with their oxides. The outcomes are displayed. In what order are the metals arranged by reactivity, starting with the least reactive?
Feb/March 2020
Beryllium, the metal, does not react with cold water. It does react with hydrochloric acid, but it cannot be obtained from its ore by reduction with carbon. In the reactivity series, where is beryllium placed?
Feb/March 2021
What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of calcium with water?
Feb/March 2021
The metal beryllium shows no reaction with cold water. It does react with hydrochloric acid, but carbon cannot be used to extract it from its ore. At what position in the reactivity series is beryllium placed?
Feb/March 2021
Some observations on the reactions of the metals tin, lithium and manganese are given. What is the reactivity order of the three metals?
Feb/March 2023
The table gives the outcomes of heating four metals separately with oxides of different metals. The four metals are iron, copper, magnesium and Y. The results are displayed below. What is the order of reactivity of the metals, least reactive first?
Feb/March 2024
The equation for how metal M reacts with aqueous zinc sulfate is shown below. $\text{M(s)} + \text{ZnSO}_4\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{MSO}_4\text{(aq)} + \text{Zn(s)}$ Which statement gives the reason that metal M reacts with aqueous zinc sulfate?
Feb/March 2024
Samarium is classified as a metal.
Feb/March 2024
Metal M is located between zinc and iron in the reactivity series. Which of the following statements about metal M are true?
Feb/March 2025
Table 2.1 presents data on how four different metals react with oxygen.
Feb/March 2025
The reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide is represented as follows: iron(III) oxide + aluminium $\rightarrow$ iron + aluminium oxide. Which of the following statements about this reaction is correct?
May/June 2016
W, X and Y are metals; one of them is copper and another is iron. • W forms a coloured oxide that can be reduced by carbon. • X forms a black oxide and is also found in nature as an uncombined pure metal. • Y forms an oxide that cannot be reduced by carbon. Which metal is the most reactive, and what could W be?
May/June 2016
The table summarises some chemical properties of three metals W, X and Y, together with those of their oxides. It includes their reactions with steam, their reactions with dilute hydrochloric acid, and the reaction of each metal oxide with carbon. What is the order of reactivity of these metals, starting with the most reactive?
May/June 2016
The sequence below gives the reactivity order for some elements. $\text{K} \; \text{Na} \; \text{Ca} \; \text{Mg} \; \text{Zn} \; \text{Fe} \; (\text{H}) \; \text{Cu}$ Which of the following statements about the reactivity of these metals is correct?
May/June 2016
A student studied how four metals, R, S, T and U, reacted with solutions of their salts. The results are shown in the table. What is the order of reactivity of the metals, with the most reactive first?
May/June 2016
The diagram illustrates a simple cell. For which pair of metals would electrons move from metal X to metal Y?
May/June 2016
The diagram illustrates a simple cell. Which pair of metals gives the greatest voltage?
May/June 2016
Four metals P, Q, R and S are each placed into separate aqueous solutions containing their ions. The outcomes are displayed below. (✓ = reaction occurs, x = reaction does not occur) Which sequence shows the metals in order of reactivity, with the most reactive first?
May/June 2016
Order the metals according to reactivity. Start with the least reactive metal.
May/June 2016
The reactions of three metals and their oxides are illustrated below. What is the reactivity order of the metals?
May/June 2017
Element E: - makes an alloy - produces a basic oxide - lies below hydrogen in the reactivity series. What is E?
May/June 2017
Calcium, copper, iron and magnesium are metals. They can be arranged according to reactivity. Which statement is correct?
May/June 2017
Element E makes an alloy, produces a basic oxide, and lies below hydrogen in the reactivity series. What is E?
May/June 2017
Which row indicates the way the metal reacts?
May/June 2017
A reactivity series for several metals is displayed. most reactive $\rightarrow$ least reactive magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, platinum The diagram below shows strips of different metals immersed in an electrolyte. Which pair of metals gives the largest voltage?
May/June 2017
Metal X is placed into a colourless aqueous solution of the sulfate of metal Y. A coloured solution then appears and metal Y is found deposited at the base of the beaker. Which row shows elements X and Y and their relative reactivity?
May/June 2017
Element E: • can form an alloy • produces a basic oxide • lies below hydrogen in the reactivity series. Which element is E?
May/June 2017
The reactivity series for several different metals is displayed below. from most reactive to least reactive magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, platinum. In the diagram, different metal strips are placed into an electrolyte. Which pair of metals gives the greatest voltage?
May/June 2017
Element E: • can form an alloy • produces a basic oxide • lies below hydrogen in the reactivity series. Identify E.
May/June 2017
A set of metals is listed: aluminium, copper, iron, magnesium, silver and zinc. Which one can displace every one of the other metals from aqueous solutions of their salts?
May/June 2017
The reactivity series for several different metals is given below. most reactive $\rightarrow$ least reactive magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, platinum The diagram shows strips of different metals immersed in an electrolyte. Which pair of metals gives the greatest voltage?
May/June 2017
Element E: • makes an alloy • forms a basic oxide • is lower than hydrogen in the reactivity series. What is E?
May/June 2017
The part of the reactivity series displayed contains a newly discovered element, with symbol X. The only oxide formed by X has the formula $\text{XO}$. $\text{Ca}$ $\text{Mg}$ $\text{Fe}$ $\text{X}$ $\text{H}$ $\text{Cu}$ Which equation represents a reaction that takes place?
May/June 2017
Which of the steels, L, M or N, would be most suitable for reinforcing concrete? Give two reasons for your choice.
May/June 2017
The diagram illustrates a simple cell. This simple cell was tested with different metals as electrodes, and the voltages were entered in the table. If the voltage measured is positive, then metal 2 is more reactive than metal 1. If the voltage measured is negative, then metal 1 is more reactive than metal 2. The more reactive metal is oxidised. The larger the gap in reactivity between the metals, the greater the voltmeter reading.
May/June 2017
Three metals, X, Y and Z, were each brought into contact with water. Their oxides, made from the same three metals, were then heated strongly with carbon. The observations are shown below. Metal X: reacted vigorously with cold water; metal oxide with carbon: no reaction. Metal Y: did not react with water; metal oxide with carbon: metal and carbon dioxide produced. Metal Z: no reaction seen with cold water but reaction seen with steam; metal oxide with carbon: no reaction. What conclusion about X, Y and Z is correct?
May/June 2018
A student is provided with metal Z and the oxide of metal Z. The student carries out some tests to determine where metal Z belongs in the reactivity series. The observations are as follows. • Metal Z reacted slowly with dilute hydrochloric acid. • Metal Z reacted slowly with steam, but did not react with water. • When heated with carbon, the oxide of metal Z reacted. Which statement about where metal Z is placed in the reactivity series is correct?
May/June 2018
Some reactions involving three metals and their oxides are shown. Metal X: reacts with steam - no; metal oxide reacts with carbon - yes. Metal Y: reacts with steam - yes; metal oxide reacts with carbon - no. Metal Z: reacts with steam - yes; metal oxide reacts with carbon - yes. What is the order of reactivity of the metals?
May/June 2018
The statements below concern the metals copper, iron, magnesium and zinc. Which of these statements are correct?
May/June 2018
Cadmium is more reactive than silver. Barium is more reactive than cadmium. Which of these statements is correct?
May/June 2018
Metal X has a higher reactivity than metal Y. Metal Y has a higher reactivity than metal Z. Which statement is correct?
May/June 2018
The ionic equations below represent four reactions. $Z + X^{2+} \rightarrow Z^{2+} + X$ $Z + 2W^{+} \rightarrow Z^{2+} + 2W$ $X + 2W^{+} \rightarrow X^{2+} + 2W$ $Y + Z^{2+} \rightarrow Y^{2+} + Z$ What is the reactivity order of the four metals, W, X, Y and Z?
May/June 2018
This question concerns iron and compounds of iron.
May/June 2018
This question concerns cobalt and its compounds.
May/June 2018
The table below summarises how three metals, P, Q and R, behave. P: with dilute hydrochloric acid: yes; with water: no. Q: with dilute hydrochloric acid: no; with water: no. R: with dilute hydrochloric acid: yes; with water: yes. What is the reactivity order of these metals?
May/June 2019
Three different metals are each reacted separately with dilute hydrochloric acid and with water. The outcomes are shown. What is the reactivity order of the metals, beginning with the most reactive?
May/June 2019
Three metals, L, M and N, are each placed separately into dilute hydrochloric acid and cold water. The outcomes are shown. What is the metals’ order of reactivity?
May/June 2019
Four metals — zinc, M, copper and magnesium — are each put into aqueous solutions of their nitrates. The observations are given below. Legend: ✓ = reacts, ✗ = no reaction What is the reactivity order of these four metals, beginning with the most reactive?
May/June 2019
Four metals, zinc, M, copper and magnesium, are placed into aqueous solutions of their nitrates. The outcomes are displayed. What is the reactivity order of these four metals, beginning with the most reactive?
May/June 2019
When calcium metal is added to water, it forms a solution of calcium hydroxide and releases hydrogen gas. Which equation is correct?
May/June 2019
Four metals — zinc, M, copper and magnesium — are each reacted with aqueous solutions of their nitrates. The outcomes are displayed. In which sequence do these four metals rank by reactivity, beginning with the most reactive?
May/June 2019
The following properties of metal J are given. J does not react when placed in cold water. J does react with dilute hydrochloric acid. When the oxide of J is heated with carbon, no reaction takes place. What is J?
May/June 2021
Cobalt, manganese and chromium are all metals. • Cobalt(II) oxide is reduced by carbon to give cobalt metal. • Manganese(II) oxide does not react with carbon. • Chromium(II) oxide does not react with carbon. • Chromium does not react with water. • Manganese reacts with water. What is the sequence of reactivity for these metals?
May/June 2021
Which statement correctly describes the reactivity of metals?
May/June 2021
Several features of metal J are given. • J does not react with cold water. • J reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid. • When the oxide of J is heated with carbon, no reaction takes place. What is J?
May/June 2021
Which simple cell generates the greatest electrical energy?
May/June 2021
The reactions of three metals and their oxides are shown. What is the reactivity order of these metals, from most reactive to least reactive?
May/June 2022
The reactions of the metals P, Q, R and S are shown. In what order do the metals react, from most reactive to least reactive?
May/June 2022
Metal M reacts with steam and gives off gas G. Which row correctly names gas G and states the kind of reaction that occurs when metal M reacts with steam?
May/June 2022
Three metals, X, Y and Z, are each placed separately into dilute hydrochloric acid. Their oxides are then heated with carbon. The outcomes of the reactions are shown. What are X, Y and Z?
May/June 2022
The reactions of three metals and their oxides are shown below. The table indicates whether each metal reacts when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to it, and whether each metal oxide reacts when heated with carbon. (✓ = reacts, x = does not react) What is the order of reactivity of these metals, starting with the most reactive and ending with the least reactive?
May/June 2022
The reactions of metals P, Q, R and S are shown. In what order do the metals react in terms of reactivity?
May/June 2022
P, Q, R and S are metals. P reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and produces hydrogen. Q reacts very vigorously with water. R reacts with water, giving hydrogen. S is obtained by heating its oxide with carbon. Which row identifies the metals?
May/June 2023
Calcium combines with cold water to give hydrogen. When lead is heated in air, it reacts only slowly to make an oxide, but it shows almost no reaction with steam. Silver shows no reaction with air or water. Zinc, on heating with steam, produces hydrogen. What is the reactivity order, beginning with the least reactive?
May/June 2023
P, Q, R and S are metals. P reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, and hydrogen is produced. Q reacts very violently with water. R reacts with water, giving hydrogen. S is produced by heating its oxide with carbon. Which row gives the correct identities of the metals?
May/June 2023
Cold water causes calcium to react, giving off hydrogen. When lead is heated in air, it only reacts slowly and produces an oxide, and it shows almost no reaction with steam. Silver does not react with air or with water. Heated with steam, zinc reacts to form hydrogen. In order from the least reactive to the most reactive, what is the sequence?
May/June 2023
Three metals, L, M and N, are each added on their own to dilute hydrochloric acid and cold water. The outcomes are shown. What is the reactivity order of the metals?
May/June 2024
Four distinct metals are each reacted with the same volume of dilute hydrochloric acid. The table gives the effervescence rate for every metal. What is the reactivity order of the four metals, beginning with the most reactive?
May/June 2024
An iron nail is placed into aqueous copper(II) sulfate, and another iron nail is placed into aqueous magnesium sulfate. The outcomes are shown. Which statement is correct?
May/June 2024
Four metals, Q, R, S and T, are each placed into separate samples of water, steam and dilute hydrochloric acid. The observations are shown. Which statements are correct?
May/June 2024
Metal X serves as a sacrificial metal that stops iron from corroding. Metal X does not serve as a sacrificial metal to stop aluminium from corroding. Which metal is X?
May/June 2024
A section of the reactivity series is given below. potassium X calcium Y aluminium Which metals do X and Y stand for?
May/June 2024
A set of five metals is listed below. copper iron magnesium potassium silver
May/June 2024
The table presents the observations made when the four metals, Q, R, S and T, are each placed separately in cold water and in dilute hydrochloric acid. Which row shows the metals in order of reactivity?
May/June 2025
Magnesium is reacted separately with dilute sulfuric acid and with steam. Which row correctly shows whether hydrogen is produced as a product in each reaction?
May/June 2025
Four metals, P, Q, R and S, are each reacted separately with dilute hydrochloric acid. The table gives the observation for each metal. What is the reactivity order of these four metals, from the most reactive to the least reactive?
May/June 2025
The table provides some details on how four metals, J, K, L and M, react. J reacts with steam and hydrochloric acid, but not with cold water. K reacts with hydrochloric acid, but not with steam or cold water. L reacts with hydrochloric acid and with cold water. M does not react with hydrochloric acid. What is the reactivity order of metals J, K, L and M?
May/June 2025
Three facts about solid $Z$ are given. • It reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and gives hydrogen. • It reacts only very slowly with cold water, but it reacts rapidly with steam. • It is a good conductor of heat. Which substance is solid $Z$?
May/June 2025
Four metals $J$, $K$, $L$ and $M$ are each placed separately into aqueous solutions containing their ions. The observations are shown. Which statement about the metals is correct?
May/June 2025
Some ionic equations for reactions between metals and aqueous metal ions are given below. $\text{Cu} + 2\text{Ag}^+ \rightarrow 2\text{Ag} + \text{Cu}^{2+}$ $\text{Mg} + \text{Zn}^{2+} \rightarrow \text{Mg}^{2+} + \text{Zn}$ $\text{Zn} + \text{Cu}^{2+} \rightarrow \text{Cu} + \text{Zn}^{2+}$ $\text{Sn} + \text{Cu}^{2+} \rightarrow \text{Sn}^{2+} + \text{Cu}$ What extra information could be used to arrange copper, magnesium, silver, tin and zinc in order of their reactivity?
May/June 2025
There are four test-tubes holding dilute hydrochloric acid. A different metal piece has been put into each test-tube. The metals are copper, iron, magnesium and zinc. Which test-tube contains iron and dilute hydrochloric acid?
May/June 2025
This question concerns metals and how they react.
May/June 2025
Four metals are arranged in order of decreasing reactivity: magnesium, zinc, iron, copper. Titanium reacts with acid and cannot be obtained from its ore by heating with carbon. In which position should titanium be inserted into the list?
Oct/Nov 2016
A student put dilute hydrochloric acid onto four metals and noted the outcomes. Some of the outcomes are incorrect. Which two outcomes are correct?
Oct/Nov 2016
Four metals are shown in descending reactivity order: magnesium, zinc, iron, copper. Titanium reacts with acid and cannot be obtained from its ore by heating with carbon. At what point in the list should titanium be inserted?
Oct/Nov 2016
A student placed dilute hydrochloric acid with four metals and noted the outcomes. Some of the outcomes are incorrect. Which two outcomes are correct?
Oct/Nov 2016
Four metals are shown below in order of decreasing reactivity. magnesium zinc iron copper Titanium reacts with acid and cannot be obtained from its ore by heating with carbon. At what position in the list should titanium be inserted?
Oct/Nov 2016
A student added dilute hydrochloric acid to four metals and noted the results. Some of the results are incorrect. Which two results are correct?
Oct/Nov 2016
The diagram illustrates a simple cell. Which two metals give the largest voltmeter reading?
Oct/Nov 2016