Question

Give reasons for the following:
(a) Sodium and potassium are stored in kerosene.
(b) Copper cannot displace zinc from its salt solution (zinc sulphate solution).

Answer 1

Answer:

a) sodium and potassium are highly reactive metals which when even come in contact with air/ water .. they react corrosively that's why they are stored in kerosene...

b) copper can't displace Zinc from zinc sulphate because Zinc is more reactive than copper so zinc would hold its place!

Explanation:

hope it helps...

Answer 2

Sodium

Reactivity series

Explanation:

Sodium (Na) is an alkali metal. It is so soft that it can be cut with a knife. Sodium is so reactive that it vigorously catches fire when kept open in air and hence, we keep it immersed in kerosene oil. Sodium oxide is the basic oxide formed as sodium metal reacts with oxygen of air at room temperature.

An element that is more reactive will displace a less reactive metal. In the reactivity series, Copper is less reactive than zinc. So copper cannot displace zinc from zinc sulphate solution.