Science Matter & Materialsusually ages 12–14

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

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

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)

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Try this together

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?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Metals vs Non-Metalsages 11–13The reactivity series orders metals by their chemical reactivity — metal properties must be understood first

Types of Chemical Reactionages 12–13Displacement reactions are a key application of the reactivity series — reaction types must be understood first

The Reactivity Seriesthis skill · ages 12–14

Unlocks

Finite Resources & Recyclingages 12–14Understanding resource depletion for metals connects to knowing how metals are extracted and how difficult that is

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Acid Reactions & Saltsages 12–13 Acids, Alkalis & pHages 12–13 Earth's Atmosphere & CO2ages 12–14 Finite Resources & Recyclingages 12–14

All Matter & Materials skills →