Activity Series
A ranking of metals in order of their tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions.
Unit
V
In depth
A metal higher in the series displaces any metal below it from solution, reacts more readily with water and acids, and is harder to extract from its ore. The series is essentially a practical restatement of standard electrode potentials, with hydrogen included as a reference point.
Examples in the real world
K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Pb > H > Cu > Ag > Au; zinc displaces copper but silver does not displace it.