Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity Series and Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Reactions (Unit 7.5-7.6)
Directions: In each of the single replacement reactions, write an equation to describe the single replacement reaction
that is taking place. If there is no reaction, write no reaction. Each aqueous solution also contains nitrate (NO3-) ions that
are not shown.
In an oxidation- reduction reaction (redox), one substance is oxidized meaning it loses electrons and becomes more
positively charged and one substance is reduced meaning it gains electrons to become more negatively charged.
Directions: For each of the reactions that take place circle the reduced substance and put a square around the oxidized
substance.
Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Directions: Refer to the diagram on the previous page to answer the following questions.
1) Find two experiments that involve aluminum and magnesium.
a) Will aluminum give its electron to magnesium?
b) Will magnesium give its electrons to aluminum?
c) Which metal, aluminum or magnesium is better at giving up electrons?
2) Find two experiments that involve aluminum and copper.
a) Will aluminum give its electron to copper?
b) Will copper give its electrons to aluminum?
c) Which metal, aluminum or copper is better at giving up electrons?
3) An active metal readily gives up its electron(s) and is oxidized. There are four metals involved in the reactions of the
previous page (Al, Zn, Cu and Mg). Rank these metals from “least active” to “most active” based on the data on the
previous page.
4) Based on your ranking in question 3, write an equation for the following situations. If no reaction will take place, write
“no reaction”.
a) Zinc metal in a Mg2+ solution.
b) Zinc metal in a Cu2+ solution
5) In chemistry we say “magnesium ions replace copper ions in solution” when a reaction occurs. Using your ranking in
question 3, determine which of the statements below are true and which are false.
a) Magnesium ions replace aluminum ions in solution.
Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b) Copper ions replace zinc ions in solution.
c) Zinc ions replace magnesium ions in solution.
Directions: Obtain a copy of the full activity series. Determine if the following reactions will take place. If so complete
the equation. If not, write “no reaction.”
1) Al(s) + Pb2+(aq) →
2) Fe(s) + Cu2+(aq) →
3) Au(s) + CuCl2(aq) →
4) Cr(s) + KNO3(aq) →
5) Zn(s) + HCl (aq) →
6) Fe(s) + HCl (aq) →
7) Cu(s) + HCl (aq) →
8) F2(g) + NaCl(aq) →
9) I2(s) + Br- (aq) →
10)Cl2(g) + I-(aq) →