Some metals, like potassium and sodium, are highly reactive but others, like platinum and gold, are unreactive. The majority of metals however lie between these two extremes.
We can put metals in order of reactivity by comparing their reactions with a variety of chemicals. In this experiment their reactions with oxygen will be compared. Potassium permanganate will be used to provide the oxygen – it does this when it decomposes on heating.
The aim of this experiment is to place zinc, copper and magnesium in order of reactivity by observing the ease with which they react with oxygen.
