Position of Carbon in The Series of Reactivity of Metals

Position of Carbon in The Series of Reactivity of Metals

  1. The position of carbon in the series of reactivity of metals can be determined based on:
    1. the ability of metals to take away oxygen from carbon oxide, that is carbon dioxide.
    2. the ability of carbon to take away oxygen from metal oxides

Experiment 1

  1. If the metal can take away oxygen from carbon dioxide, then the metal is more reactive than carbon.
    Metal + carbon dioxide → metal oxide + carbon
  2. On the other hand, if the metal cannot take away oxygen from carbon dioxide, then the metal is less reactive than carbon.

Example

2Mg (s) + CO2(g) → 2MgO (s)  + C (s)

Conclusion: Magnesium is more reactive than carbon.

Experiment 2

  1. If carbon can take away oxygen from metal oxide, then the carbon is more reactive than the metal.
    Carbon + metal oxide → metal + carbon dioxide
  2. On the other hand, if carbon cannot take away oxygen from metal oxide, then the carbon is less reactive than the metal.

Example

C + 2CuO → 2Cu + CO2

Conclusion: Copper is less reactive than carbon.

The chart below show the position of carbon in a reactivity series.

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