A, B, C are three elements that undergo chemical reactions according to the following equations:
Now answer the following questions:
Which element is most reactive?
A, B, C are three elements that undergo chemical reactions according to the following equations:
Now answer the following questions:
Which element is most reactive?
1. Reactivity series
The arrangement of metals in a vertical column and in decreasing order of their reactivities is called the reactivity series or the activity series of metals. It is determined by comparing the reactivity of the metals with dilute acids and water. The reactivity series can be used to predict the products of a displacement reaction in which a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its solution.
2. Reactivity of A, B, and C
In the first reaction, metal B displaces metal A from its oxide to form . Metal A is deposited in its metallic form. Since B can displace A from its solution, B is more reactive than A. Similarly, metal B displaces metal C from its sulphate solution depositing metal C in its elemental form in the second reaction. Therefore, C is also less reactive than B.
In the third reaction, metal A reacts with oxide of C and forms oxide of A. The metal C is deposited from its solution in its metallic form. Therefore, metal A is more reactive than C.
From the above observations, the order of reactivity of metals can be given as .
Therefore, element B is the most reactive element because the more reactive metal always tends to displace the lower reactive metals from their respective compound. Hence, it is the most reactive among all.
1. Reactivity series
The arrangement of metals in a vertical column and in decreasing order of their reactivities is called the reactivity series or the activity series of metals. It is determined by comparing the reactivity of the metals with dilute acids and water. The reactivity series can be used to predict the products of a displacement reaction in which a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its solution.
2. Reactivity of A, B, and C
In the first reaction, metal B displaces metal A from its oxide to form . Metal A is deposited in its metallic form. Since B can displace A from its solution, B is more reactive than A. Similarly, metal B displaces metal C from its sulphate solution depositing metal C in its elemental form in the second reaction. Therefore, C is also less reactive than B.
In the third reaction, metal A reacts with oxide of C and forms oxide of A. The metal C is deposited from its solution in its metallic form. Therefore, metal A is more reactive than C.
From the above observations, the order of reactivity of metals can be given as .
Therefore, element B is the most reactive element because the more reactive metal always tends to displace the lower reactive metals from their respective compound. Hence, it is the most reactive among all.
