Chapter U5.18, Problem 4E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The results observed on pairing iron (III) nitrate, ${\text{Fe(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_3$ with solid zinc should be determined.

Concept Introduction: In order to determine the products formed due to single displacement reaction, a series of metals are arranged in reactivity order from highest to lowest. This reactivity series helps in predicting which cation will replace the other from its aqueous solution. A less reactive metal is displaced by more reactive metal.

Answer to Problem 4E

Zinc is more reactive in comparison to iron and thus, it displaces the iron from ${\text{Fe(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_3$ and forms ${\text{Zn(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}$ .

Explanation of Solution

In order to determine whether any reaction will takes place or not on pairing iron (III) nitrate, ${\text{Fe(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_3$ with solid zinc, the position of both the ions in the reactivity series should be checked and if in the reactivity series, the zinc is placed above the iron then it will displace the iron in iron nitrate but if zinc is present below the iron then it won’t be able to displace iron due to low reactivity.

On comparing both the metals on reactivity series, the iron is placed below the zinc that means zinc is more reactive than iron and thus, it displaces the iron from ${\text{Fe(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_3$ and forms ${\text{Zn(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}$ . The complete balanced single displacement chemical reaction is:

  ${\text{2Fe(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_{\text{3}}\text{ + 3Zn }\to {\text{ 3Zn(NO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}\text{ + 2Fe}$