The series itself
Here is the activity series in full. The most reactive metal stands at the top and the least reactive at the bottom.
| Symbol | Metal | Reactivity |
|---|---|---|
| K | Potassium | Highest — must be stored under kerosene |
| Na | Sodium | |
| Ca | Calcium | |
| Mg | Magnesium | Moderate — extracted by reduction |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Zn | Zinc | |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Sn | Tin | |
| Pb | Lead | |
| (H) | Hydrogen | A non-metal — shown for comparison only |
| Cu | Copper | Lowest — found as the free element |
| Hg | Mercury | |
| Ag | Silver | |
| Pt | Platinum | |
| Au | Gold |
Why is hydrogen there?
Hydrogen, being a non-metal, does not belong to the activity series, but it is shown in it for comparing reactivity.
What the hydrogen line tells you
Metals above hydrogen can displace hydrogen from dilute acids. Metals below it cannot — which is why copper does not react with dilute HCl.
How to read the series
Any metal higher in the series can displace a lower metal from a solution of its salt. The reverse cannot happen.