Question

(a) What is meant by the reactivity series of metals? Arrange the following metals in an increasing order of their activities towards water.
Zinc, iron, magnesium, Sodium
(b) Name one metal more reactive and another less reactive than hydrogen.
(c) Name one metal which displaces copper from copper sulphate solution and one which does not.
(d) Name one metal which displaces silver from silver nitrate solution and one which does not.

Answer 1

(a) The arrangement of metals in a vertical column in the order of decreasing reactivities is called reactivity series. The reactivity series follows the order:

$K>Na>Ca>Mg>Al>Zn>Fe>Pb>H>Cu>Hg>Ag>Au$

(b) Lead is more reactive than hydrogen and copper is less reactive than hydrogen

(c) Zinc displaces copper from copper sulphate solution and mercury does not displace copper from copper sulphate solution

(d) Copper displaces silver from silver nitrate solution and gold does not.