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IGCSEChemistryEdexcelChemistry (Modular)Unit 1Revision Notes2. Inorganic Chemistry: Part 1Reactivity seriesOrder of Reactivity

Order of Reactivity (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (Modular))

Revision Note

Stewart Hird

Written by: Stewart Hird

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham

Edexcel Chemistry (Modular): Unit 1Edexcel Science (Double Award): ChemistryEdexcel Chemistry

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

 

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Stewart Hird

    Author: Stewart Hird

    Expertise: Chemistry Lead

    Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.

    Lucy Kirkham

    Author: Lucy Kirkham

    Expertise: Head of STEM

    Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.