A mnemonic to memorize the reactivity series

Archive SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Our teacher gave this to us to memorize the reactivity series, essential to know the outcomes of many chemical reactions and also useful in electrolysis.</p>

<p>Here it goes:</p>

<p>“Please Charles Send Monkeys And Zebras In Lead Hard Cage with Maximum Security Guard.”</p>

<p>See the first letter of each word in the sentence. Now here is the actual series, starting from the most active.</p>

<li>Potassium - K</li>
<li>Calcium - Ca</li>
<li>Sodium - Na</li>
<li>Magnesium - Mg</li>
<li>Aluminium - Al</li>
<li>Zinc - Zn</li>
<li>Iron - Fe</li>
<li>Lead - Pb</li>
<li>Hydrogen - H</li>
<li>Copper - Cu</li>
<li>Mercury - Hg</li>
<li>Silver - Ag</li>
<li>Gold - Au</li>
</ol>

<p>NOTE: This series does not include all elements. But it helps to remember the position of the most common elements used in reactions.
Hope it helps!</p>

2

<p>When I was told to memorise this…2 years ago, I just rapped the letters, I organised them into threes and a four and went from there. I had a lot of weird **** to memorise lists though. I used my room-mate’s name and added a few vulgarities. ^^</p>

3

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<p>Really funny…hehe…i do that too sometimes…</p>

<p>But honestly, this method works so fine…we learn things so easily that way!</p>

4

<p>Yeah, now I need something to help me remember definitions. Hahaha</p>

5

<p>unfortunately, this trick doesn’t work that gud for definitions…</p>

<p>but the best way would be to, understand the thing clearly (i mean 100%) and then mug it up. Coz its easier to mug up when u have understood the thing.</p>

<p>This may sound stupid, but if you really try it out, it works pretty fine!</p>

6

<p>That’s a good mnemonic, but you’ve got calcium and sodium the wrong way round</p>

7

<p>what is the reactivity series exactly? How reactive each element is? If so, is this really necessary to know for SAT chem?</p>

8

<p>Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally :open_mouth: lol</p>

9

<p>King Philip Came Over For Good Spaghetti</p>

10

<p>We used a funny one. We basically pronounced letters as they were! As so it goes:</p>

<p>Kanalicamagal zinfenisan-pub-sur hacu hag agpad patau</p>

<p>Or, in easier terms: K Na Li Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Ni Sn Pb Sr [H] Cu Hg Ag Pd Pt Au.</p>

<p>Although I have seen conflicting views on the placement of Au behind Pt. Some say it’s the other way around. Even so, I like this mnemonic; it’s so weird that it’s easier to remember!</p>