Chapter 17, Problem 40AE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The cations ${\text{A}}^{+}$, ${\text{B}}^{2+}$, ${\text{C}}^{+}$ and ${\text{D}}^{2+}$ have to be arranged in order of increasing ability to attract electrons.

Concept Introduction:

The relative ease of reactivity or oxidation of metals can be readily determined from the activity series that describes the least reactive to the most reactive metal.

In displacement reactions metals that lie above in the activity series and are able to readily displace metals from their salt solutions that lie beneath in the same series due to more reactivity. Sodium, potassium and similar alkali and alkaline earth metals occupy higher positions while gold, silver and platinum like inert metals lie at the bottom.