This guide covers IGCSE Chemistry topic 10 (part 1): metals – reactivity and properties. You will revise the reactivity series (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, H, Cu, Ag, Au), reactions with acid (metal + acid → salt + H2), reactions with water/steam, and displacement (more reactive metal displaces less reactive from compound).

Key concepts to revise

• Reactivity series – Order of metals (and H) by tendency to form positive ions; K most reactive; Au least.
• Metal + acid – Metal above H: salt + H2; metal below H: no reaction.
• Metal + water – K, Na, Ca: react with cold water (metal hydroxide + H2); Mg: slow with cold water; reacts with steam.
• Displacement – More reactive metal displaces less reactive from solution (e.g. Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu).

Exam tips and command words

• State – The order of reactivity (e.g. Zn more reactive than Cu); whether a metal reacts with acid (above H).
• Describe – The reaction of a metal with acid (salt + H2); the reaction of a metal with water (if reactive).
• Explain – Why displacement occurs (more reactive metal loses electrons more easily; forms ions; less reactive metal ions gain electrons; form metal).
• Predict – Whether a displacement reaction will occur from the reactivity series.

Common mistakes

• Putting hydrogen in the wrong place (H is below Pb and above Cu; metals above H displace H from acid).
• Saying “copper displaces zinc” (zinc displaces copper; more reactive displaces less reactive).
• Not stating that no reaction when metal is below H in reactivity series (with acid).

Revision checklist

• State the order of the reactivity series (at least K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Pb, H, Cu, Ag).
• Describe the reaction of a metal with dilute acid (salt + H2) for metals above H.
• Describe the reaction of K, Na or Ca with cold water (hydroxide + H2).
• Predict and explain displacement reactions (e.g. Fe + CuSO4).

Next steps

Book a free trial with an IGCSE Chemistry tutor to practise reactivity series questions, or explore Tutopiya’s learning portal for more revision resources.