Explain how the activity series accounts for each of the following:
(a) occurrence of metals,
(b) tendency to corrosion,
(c) reaction with water,
(d) reaction with acids.
Explain how the activity series accounts for each of the following:
(a) occurrence of metals,
(b) tendency to corrosion,
(c) reaction with water,
(d) reaction with acids.
(a) Occurrence of metals: The metals placed at the top of activity series are most reactive, so they always exist in the combined state whereas the metals placed below the activity series are least reactive, so they can be found in the isolated state also.
(b) Tendency to corrosion: The metals lying above the hydrogen in activity series can easily react with moisture and air and corrode easily whereas the metals such as gold and platinum do not corrode easily.
(c) Reaction with water: The ability of the metals to reduce water to hydrogen decreases on moving down the series.
Potassium and sodium reacts with cold water whereas magnesium reacts with warm water and aluminium, zinc and iron reacts with steam.
(d) Reaction with acids: All the metals above hydrogen, in the activity series, reduce hydrogen ions from dil. hydrochloric or sulphuric acid and give out hydrogen gas. The rate of reaction decreases on moving down the series.
(a) Occurrence of metals: The metals placed at the top of activity series are most reactive, so they always exist in the combined state whereas the metals placed below the activity series are least reactive, so they can be found in the isolated state also.
(b) Tendency to corrosion: The metals lying above the hydrogen in activity series can easily react with moisture and air and corrode easily whereas the metals such as gold and platinum do not corrode easily.
(c) Reaction with water: The ability of the metals to reduce water to hydrogen decreases on moving down the series.
Potassium and sodium reacts with cold water whereas magnesium reacts with warm water and aluminium, zinc and iron reacts with steam.
(d) Reaction with acids: All the metals above hydrogen, in the activity series, reduce hydrogen ions from dil. hydrochloric or sulphuric acid and give out hydrogen gas. The rate of reaction decreases on moving down the series.
