Explain, not just describe, the relationship between these rankings.

Question

Most reactive to least reactive metals: Zn, Pb, Cu, Ag
Most reactive to least reactive metal cations: Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn

Answer 1

It easier for Zn to lose electrons and become Zn^2+ than for Pb, easier for Pb than for Pb^2+, easier for Cu than Cu^2+ and easier for Ag than Ag^+.

It is harder for Ag^+ to gain an electron to become Ag than for Cu^2+ to become Cu, than for Pb^2+ to become Pb, than for Zn^2+ to become Zn.