Classify the type of reaction used for determining relative reactivities of metals
Answers
Answer:
The reactivity series of metals, also known as the activity series, refers to the arrangement of metals in the descending order of their reactivities.
The data provided by the reactivity series can be used to predict whether a metal can displace another in a single displacement reaction. It can also be used to obtain information on the reactivity of metals towards water and acids.
Explanation:
The reactivity series of metals, also known as the activity series, refers to the arrangement of metals in the descending order of their reactivities.
The data provided by the reactivity series can be used to predict whether a metal can displace another in a single displacement reaction. It can also be used to obtain information on the reactivity of metals towards water and acids.
A chart of the reactivity series of common metals is provided below.
Metals tend to readily lose electrons and form cations. Most of them react with atmospheric oxygen to form metal oxides. However, different metals have different reactivities towards oxygen (unreactive metals such as gold and platinum do not readily form oxides when exposed to air).
Salient Features
The metals at the top of the reactivity series are powerful reducing agents since they are easily oxidized. These metals tarnish/corrode very easily.
The reducing ability of the metals grows weaker while traversing down the series.
The electro positivity of the elements also reduces while moving down the reactivity series of metals.
All metals that are found above hydrogen in the activity series liberate H2 gas upon reacting with dilute HCl or dilute H2SO4.
Metals that are placed higher on the reactivity series have the ability to displace metals that are placed lower from their salt solutions.
Higher ranking metals require greater amounts of energy for their isolation from ores and other compounds.
Another important feature of the activity series is that while travelling down the series, the electron-donating ability of the metals reduces.
Long Tabular Form of the Reactivity Series
The reactivities of metals are tabulated below (in the descending order) along with their corresponding ions. Note that the metals in Red react with cold water, those in Orange cannot react with cold water but can react with acids, and those in Blue only react with some strong oxidizing acids.
Reactivity Series of Metals Ions Formed
Caesium Cs+
Francium Fr+
Rubidium Rb+
Potassium K+
Sodium Na+
Lithium Li+
Barium Ba2+
Radium Ra2+
Strontium Sr2+
Calcium Ca2+
Magnesium Mg2+
Beryllium Be2+
Aluminium Al3+
Titanium Ti4+
Manganese Mn2+
Zinc Zn2+
Chromium Cr3+
Iron Fe3+
Cadmium Cd2+
Cobalt Co2+
Nickel Ni2+
Tin Sn2+
Lead Pb2+
Hydrogen H+ (Non-Metal, Reference for Comparison)
Antimony Sb3+
Bismuth Bi3+
Copper Cu2+
Tungsten W3+
Mercury Hg2+
Silver Ag+
Platinum Pt4+
Gold Au3+
Despite being a non-metal, hydrogen is often included in the reactivity series since it helps compare the reactivities of the metals. The metals placed above hydrogen in the series can displace it from acids such as HCl and H2SO4 (since they are more reactive).