Question

Use the activity series below to predict whether the following reactions will take place.

An activity series, listed as most reactive to least reactive: Upper L i, Upper K, Upper B a, Upper S r, Upper C a, Upper N a, Upper M g, Upper A l, Upper M n, Upper Z n, Upper C r, Upper F e, Upper C d, Upper C o, Upper N i, Upper S n, Upper P b, Upper H, Upper S b, Upper B i, Upper C u, Upper A g, Upper P d, Upper H g, Upper P t, Upper A u.

Upper C a plus upper Z n upper B r subscript 2 right arrow upper C a upper B r subscript 2 plus upper Z n.

Upper C u plus 2 upper K upper N upper O subscript 3 right arrow upper C u (upper n upper O subscript 3) subscript 2 plus 2 upper K.

Answer 1

1) Ca + ZnBr2 → CaBr2 + Zn — Reaction will occur.

Reason: Ca is above Zn on the activity series (more reactive), so Ca(s) will oxidize to Ca2+ and displace Zn2+. Net ionic: Ca(s) + Zn2+(aq) → Ca2+(aq) + Zn(s).

2) Cu + 2 KNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2 K — Reaction will not occur.

Reason: Cu is well below K on the activity series (less reactive), so Cu cannot displace K+ from solution; no redox/displacement takes place.