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Glite Dictionary
electromotive series

electromotive series

9.5
A list of metals and metal ions arranged by how easily they lose electrons
  • noun
  • /ˌɛlɛktroʊˈmoʊtɪv ˈsɪriz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : serie electromotriz
  • According to the electromotive series, zinc can reduce copper ions to metallic copper.

Examples

  • The electromotive series helps chemists predict the outcome of redox reactions.

  • The placement of lithium at the top of the electromotive series indicates its strong tendency to lose electrons.

  • The electromotive series helps predict chemical reactions.

  • Can you explain the electromotive series to me?

  • According to the electromotive series, potassium is more reactive than copper because it can easily reduce copper ions.

  • The electromotive series is essential for understanding the reactivity of different metals in chemical reactions.

  • A common application of the electromotive series is determining which metal can displace another in a solution.

Synonyms

electromotive force series
vselectromotive series
  • Specialized
9.5

A list of metals that shows which metal can replace another in a liquid

is identical in meaning but uses the term focusing on driving electrical potential
electrochemical series
vselectromotive series
  • Specialized
7.8

An ordered list of metals and ions showing which ones gain or lose electrons more easily

focuses specifically on which metals reduce others rather than both reduction and oxidation

Surface Forms

electromotive series singular
electromotive series plural

Morphology

electromotive + series

The phrase is compositionally built from 'electromotive' (relating to electric generation/force) and 'series' (a sequence), so a learner can infer it denotes a sequence ordered by electromotive properties. However, the specific concept—ordering metals by standard electrode potentials and reduction tendencies—is technical domain knowledge that a B1 learner would not fully predict from the parts alone, so the term is only partly transparent.

Etymology

Electromotive series comes from its parts: electro (electric), motive (to move) and series (a list). Imagine metals in a line like runners: those near the top push electrons away and the ones below take them. That's why the series shows which metal will 'give' electrons and which will 'take' them in a reaction.