The reactivity series
Carbon and the reactivity series mnemonic
- Carbon is an important element and has its own place on the reactivity series
- Its use in the extraction of metals from their oxides and a more complete reactivity series with an accompanying mnemonic to help you memorise it is below
The reactivity series mnemonic
- “Please send lions, cats, monkeys and cute zebras into hot countries signed Gordon”
Reactivity series mnemonic table
Metal | Abbreviation |
Most reactive | |
Potassium | P - Please |
Sodium | S- Send |
Lithium | L - Lions |
Calcium | C - Cats |
Magnesium | M - Monkeys |
Aluminium | A - And |
Carbon | C - Cute |
Zinc | Z - Zebras |
Iron | I - Into |
Hydrogen | H - Hot |
Copper | C - Countries |
Silver | S - Signed |
Gold | G - Gordon |
Least reactive |