What is the Difference Between Electrochemical Series and Reactivity Series?

The electrochemical series and reactivity series are both related to the reactivity of metals, but they have different purposes and are based on different principles. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Basis: The reactivity series is usually based on kinetics, while the electrochemical series and activity series are based on thermodynamics.
2. Element Inclusion: The electrochemical series includes chemical elements with electrode potentials, while the reactivity series includes metals.
3. Order: The electrochemical series is a list of chemical elements that shows the order of their standard electrode potentials, with the largest negative value at the top. The reactivity series, also known as the activity series, is an empirical series of metals in order of their reactivity from highest to lowest.
4. Application: The electrochemical series provides a means of finding the cell potentials (electromotive force) and is used to compare the relative reactivities of different metals in aqueous solutions. The reactivity series is used to summarize information about the reactions of metals with acids and water, single displacement reactions, and the extraction of metals from their ores.

In summary, the electrochemical series is based on thermodynamics and includes chemical elements with their standard electrode potentials, while the reactivity series is based on kinetics and includes metals in descending order of their reactivity. Both series provide information about the relative reactivity of metals, but they do so in different ways and for different purposes.

Comparative Table: Electrochemical Series vs Reactivity Series

Here is a table comparing the differences between the electrochemical series and the reactivity series:

Please note that the electrochemical series and reactivity series both relate to the reactivity of metals, but they serve different purposes and have different functions.