Question

Food cans are coated with tin and not with zinc because :

• A. zinc is costlier than tin.
• B. zinc has a higher melting point than tin.
• C. zinc is more reactive than tin.
• D. zinc is less reactive than tin.

Answer 1

The correct option is C zinc is more reactive than tin.

Food cans are made up steel generally that is composed of Iron. Observing the reactivity series,

$Zn>Fe>Pb>H$

Zn is placed above iron which means it is more reactive than iron and can displace it. Thus, Zinc is not used to coat food cans as it will cause a reaction between the can and zinc, hampering the food inside. Tin is below Iron and thus will not cause any reaction.