Question

8. To show that zinc is more reactive than copper, the correct procedure is to a. prepare copper sulphate solution and dip zinc strip into it b. prepare zinc sulphate solution and dip copper into it c. heat zinc and copper strips d. add dilute nitric acid on both the strips

Answer 1

Option D. Add nitric acid on both the strips. Since Zn is above hydrogen in the metal activity series,it will displace H and form ZnSO4+H2 But Cu is below H so it cannot displace H,and thus it won't react.

Answer 2

To show that zinc is more reactive than copper, the correct procedure is to a. prepare copper sulphate solution and dip zinc strip into it.

Explanation:

• Electronic configuration of copper is $\bold{[\mathrm{Ar}] 3 \mathrm{d}^{10} 4 \mathrm{s}^{1}}$.
• Electronic configuration of zinc is $\bold{[\mathrm{Ar}] 3 \mathrm{d}^{10} 4 \mathrm{s}^{2}}$.
• The outermost orbital of both the element is 4s. Maximum number of electrons in s orbital is two.
• Zinc can easily form $\bold{Zn^{2+}}$ ions with the two electrons in the outermost orbital but copper has to break 3d orbital to form $\bold{Cu^{2+}}$ ions.
• So, zinc reacts readily than copper.