Question

Metals X and Y are above and below hydrogen in metallic activity series respectively.
XSO, and YSO, are salts of X and Y.
If X and Y are added to the aqueous solutions of YSO4 and XSOs respectively, then
which of the following chemical reactions is not possible? Explain with reason(s).
X + YSO.
XSO4 + Y
XSO. + Y


X+YSO4​

Answer 1

$\boxed{\sf{XSO_{4}+Y \rightarrow YSO_{4}+X}}$

The above reaction is not possible because of the following reasons:

• This is an example of displacement reaction where one less reactive element gets displaced by another highly reactive element.

• In the metallic activity series , X is placed above hydrogen and Y is placed below hydrogen.

• This means that Reactivity of X is greater than reactivity of Y.

• Hence , Y would not be able to displace X from its sulphate salt because of low reactivity.

• However the opposite reaction is possible where X can displace Y from its sulphate salt (YSO4).

$\boxed{\sf{XSO_{4}+Y \rightarrow YSO_{4}+X}}$ - Impossible

$\boxed{\sf{YSO_{4}+X \rightarrow XSO_{4}+Y}}$ - Possible