Question

Statement 1 : A piece of zinc placed in a blue copper nitrate solution will displace the copper from the solution, producing copper metal and a colorless ${Zn}^{2+}$ solution.
Statement 2 : Copper is a much more active metal than zinc.

• A. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1.
• B. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation of Statement 1.
• C. Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct.
• D. Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct.
• E. Both the Statement 1 and Statement 2 are not correct.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct.

Any oxidizing agent (the species on the left of the half reaction) can oxidize any reducing agent (the species on the right of half reaction) that appears below it but cannot oxidize the specie located above it in the electrochemical series.
Cu is above Zn in the electrochemical series. Hence, Cu(II) can oxidize Zn.
Statement 1 : A piece of zinc placed in a blue copper nitrate solution will displace the copper from the solution, producing copper metal and a colorless Zn${}^{2+}$ solution.
Statement 2 : Copper is a less active metal than zinc.
Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct.
Hence, the option (C) is the correct answer.