Question

Below shows 3 displacement reactions involving metals and solutions of metal nitrates.

Cu+2AgNO3->Cu(NO3)2+2Ag
Pb+Cu(NO3)2->Pb(NO3)2+Cu
Zn+Pb(NO3)2->Zn(NO3)2+Pb

Use this information to find the order of reactivity of the 4 metals, with the most reactive. I know their order but how do you use the information? How does the info help with the order of reactivity?

Answer 1

It tells which metal replaces which metal. If M displaces the ion of metal X then M goes above. If M does not displace X, M goes below. For example, Cu displaces Ag^+; therefore, Cu is above Ag in the activity series. Pb is above Cu. Zn is above Pb. You can make a table of these four.