Fiducia TogetherReactivity series
Metals ordered by how readily they react, and what that predicts.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
The reactivity series orders metals by their tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions, from potassium down to gold.
Where it applies
GCSE chemistry and combined science.
How it works
It predicts displacement — a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its compound — and it explains extraction: very reactive metals need electrolysis, less reactive ones can be reduced with carbon, and the least reactive are found native.
Oxidation is loss of electrons, reduction is gain.
How to use it in your work
Learn the order and the extraction rule together; questions almost always link them.
For displacement, predict AND explain by relative reactivity.
Use OIL RIG or a similar mnemonic, but be able to state it in terms of electrons.
Where to get help
Your teacher and your board's specification and mark scheme.
Revise this with a song
These are ours. We write revision songs because a lot of people remember a tune when they cannot remember a page, and because revising out loud in the kitchen beats staring at a highlighter.
- The Chemistry Song The GCSE chemistry specification, set to music.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.