Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?  

The Correct answer is All metals are equally reactive.

Key Points

• Not all metals have the same level of reactivity. Metals differ in their ability to react with other substances.
• The reactivity series is a list of metals arranged in order of their reactivity, from highest to lowest. For instance, potassium and sodium are highly reactive, while gold and silver are much less reactive.
• Potassium is known to be more reactive than gold, which is why it is never found in its free state in nature.
• Silver is less reactive than sodium, meaning it does not react as easily or vigorously with other elements or compounds.
• The differences in reactivity among metals are due to their varying atomic structures and the energy required to remove an electron to form a positive ion.

 Additional Information

• Potassium
  • Potassium is an extremely reactive metal and is placed high in the reactivity series.
  • It reacts vigorously with water and even with moisture in the air, often producing a flame.
  • Because of its high reactivity, potassium is stored under mineral oil to prevent it from reacting with atmospheric moisture and oxygen.
• Gold
  • Gold is a noble metal, meaning it is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
  • This low reactivity makes gold ideal for use in jewelry and electronics.
  • Gold does not react with most chemicals, and it is only attacked by a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, known as aqua regia.
• Silver
  • Silver is less reactive than metals like sodium and potassium but more reactive than gold.
  • It tarnishes when exposed to air due to the formation of silver sulfide from the reaction with sulfur compounds.
  • Silver is widely used in jewelry, cutlery, and electrical contacts due to its relative reactivity and high conductivity.