The Reactivity Series
Order common metals in the reactivity series and explain how a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one; describe how carbon is used to extract metals from their oxides in industry
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“The Reactivity Series means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.”
Bring to the table
- Two everyday materials (e.g. ice cube / warm water / salt / spoon)
- Clear cup and paper for notes
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Ice melts in the warm cup: solid → liquid. Heat caused the change.
Optional challenge. For The Reactivity Series, add one harder example after success.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: examples tried; results; support used. This session samples The Reactivity Series, not mastery.
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
The Reactivity Series means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: Two everyday materials (e.g. ice cube / warm water / salt / spoon); Clear cup and paper for notes. 1. Say the goal of The Reactivity Series in plain words once. 2. Adult shows one property or state change and names solid/liquid/gas or a material property. 3. Child tests three samples and records a property or state observation each time. 4. Fresh check: one fresh property or state observation. Record and stop. Done: three property/state notes with evidence. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
Family records and proof options
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Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceThe Reactivity Series practice
Practice key ideas from The Reactivity Series.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
States of Matter: Basics
Before you open · source notes
States of Matter: Basics supports hands-on exploration for The Reactivity Series. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “States of Matter: Basics.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Recalls the order of common metals in the reactivity series (potassium to gold)
- Predicts whether a displacement reaction will occur given two metals
- Explains why carbon can be used to extract iron from iron oxide but not aluminium from aluminium oxide
- Links the reactivity series to the history of metal use (gold found free, iron smelted, aluminium electrolytic)
“If your child was asked why humans used gold and copper before iron and aluminium, could they explain how a metal's reactivity determines how easy it is to extract — and why carbon can extract some metals but not others?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Matter & Materials
- Age range
- Ages 12–14
Standards