Chapter 9, Problem 62E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether the reaction that occurs when a piece of solid copper metal is put into an aqueous solution of lead $\left(\text{II}\right)$ nitrate is an example of redox reaction or precipitation reaction has to be predicted based on the acitivity series and solubility guidelines.

Concept introduction:

Metals are tabulated in decreasing order of their reducing power or increasing order of their oxidizing power. The table is termed as activity series. Any element in the activity series will replace the ions of the elements from a solution written below it. If the product formed is an insoluble compound, the reaction is termed as precipitation reaction. If the elements in the reactants undergo oxidation or reduction, the reaction is termed as redox reaction.