Question

Why is gold less reactive than iron?

Answer 1

Iron has a standard electrode potential which is less than gold, which therefore means the gold is less reactive,

Answer 2

The metals copper, silver gold and platinum are less reactive than hydrogen and they do not replace hydrogen from water or acid. Examples for metal-displacement reactions: Zinc can displace copper from copper sulphate solution and iron from ferrous sulphate solution. So zinc is more reactive than iron and copper.