# A student investigates the reactivity of four metals: aluminium, iron, platinum, and potassium. Using knowledge of the reactivity series, describe what would be observed when each metal is separately placed in dilute sulfuric acid, and explain the pattern in terms of reactivity.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Chemistry (0620) — 9.4 Reactivity series · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Potassium reacts very vigorously / explosively with dilute sulfuric acid (or stated as too dangerous / violent to test safely)
2. Aluminium and iron react with dilute sulfuric acid producing bubbles of hydrogen / fizzing, with aluminium reacting more vigorously than iron
3. Platinum does not react with dilute sulfuric acid / no change observed (because platinum is below hydrogen in the reactivity series)
4. Metals higher in the reactivity series react more readily / vigorously because they lose electrons more easily / are stronger reducing agents (accept: more reactive metals displace hydrogen from acid more easily)

## Key terms

- [reactivity series](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/reactivity-series)
- [dilute sulfuric acid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/dilute-sulfuric-acid)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Chemistry (0620)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-investigates-the-reactivity-of-0427a3f7) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.