Question

aluminium is above iron in the reactivity series but still when it reacts with oxygen it is said that aluminium is less reactive than iron. why

Answer 1

Hello buddy.

Although Aluminum is above oxygen in reactivity series bit the fact is that Aluminum reacts with oxygen in the air to form a layer of oxide which protects the aluminum from further oxidation. On the other hand the oxides of iron (rust) tend to fall away, exposing the unreacted iron to further oxidation...

Hope it helps you buddy

Answer 2

 Even though aluminium is more reactive than iron (aluminium is above iron in the reactivity series) it does not corrode much as iron because the aluminium reacts with oxygen in the air to form a layer of oxide, which protects the aluminium from further oxidation.