Question #bbdb5
1 Answer
Mar 9, 2015
Yes, I'd agree with this, but there are some things to consider that go beyond the activity series.
Copper is very low on the activity series and does not react with acids. Many older homes have copper gutters - which will not be damaged by the acidity of rainwater.
Iron is lower on the activity series than aluminum, so iron will not react as easily with acids as aluminum will.
Metals like aluminum and copper will react with oxygen to form metal oxide compounds. This causes a protective layer to form which is called a patina. Patinas are less reactive than the elements in their pure form.
Here is a video which demonstrates how the activity of three different metals can be compared.
video from: Noel Pauller
