Chapter 21, Problem 43A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The order of the metals in the activity series needs to be compared with the order in reduction potentials.

Concept Introduction: In the activity series, metals are arranged from most reactive to least reactive. Here, metals placed above in the activity series are more reactive than metals placed below. Here, the reactivity of metals is related to their tendency to get oxidized.

Explanation of Solution

If a metal is taken in its solid state in an aqueous solution of another metal, whether it replaces the other metal from its solution or not depends on the position of both metals in the activity series. Here, the metal placed above in the activity series can replace the metal from its solution which is placed below it. Thus, the metal above in the activity series can easily get oxidized. On the other hand, in the table for standard reduction potential, the species are arranged in order of decreasing reduction potential. Here, species with higher reduction potential can easily get reduced and species with lower reduction potential can easily get oxidized. Thus, the order of the metals in the activity series is opposite to that of the order in the table for the standard reduction potential of metals.