Describe the reaction of various metals in activity series with oxygen

  1. The metals which are at the bottom of activity series are very low reactivity and do not bum or oxidase even on surface. Ex : Ag, Pt, Au.
  2. The metals like Pb, Cu and Hg do not burn but only form a surface layer of oxide i.e., PbO, CuO, HgO.
  3. The metals like Al, Zn, Fe react with oxygen to form respective oxides.
  4. The metals like Ca and Mg bum with decreasing vigorousity to form oxides.
  5. The metals like K, Na bum vigorously limited supply of oxygen but form peroxides in excess of oxygen