Research problem: Arrange the following metals in order of decreasing activity:

Question

Research problem: Arrange the following metals in order of decreasing activity: Zn, Ag, Mg, Pb, Al, Mn

This procedure should involve testing the reactivity of each metal with solutions of ionic compounds containing each of the other metals.

The student should be asked to provide observations of reactions and also the balanced molecular and net ionic equations for each reaction that occurs. (You do not have to provide any of these yourself but need only to instruct the student to at appropriate times.)

Explanation / Answer

Activity in decreasing order:

Mg,Al,Zn,Pb,Ag,Mn

Displacement reactions occur when a metal from the electrochemical series is mixed with the ions of a metal lower down in the series. The atoms of the more reactive metal push their electrons on to ions of the less reactive metal.

For example:

If a piece of zinc metal is added to aluminium sulphate solution, no reaction takes place. So aluminium is more reactive than zinc.Aluminium can displace Zn from zinc sulphate solution.

2Al+3ZnSO4------->3Zn+Al2(SO4)3.

So like wise you perform all experiments.

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