Multiple Choice
Which of the following metals will react spontaneously with NiCl_2(aq)?
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6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Activity Series
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Which of the following metals will displace copper from a solution of copper(II) sulfate according to the activity series?
A
Gold
B
Silver
C
Zinc
D
Mercury
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of the activity series: It is a list of metals ranked by their ability to displace other metals from their compounds in solution. A metal higher in the activity series can displace a metal lower in the series from its salt solution.
Identify the metal in the solution: Here, copper(II) sulfate contains Cu²⁺ ions, so copper is the metal that could potentially be displaced.
Compare the metals given (Gold, Silver, Zinc, Mercury) to copper in the activity series: Determine which metals are more reactive (higher in the series) than copper.
Recall that only metals more reactive than copper can displace copper from copper(II) sulfate solution. Metals less reactive or below copper in the activity series will not displace copper.
Conclude that Zinc is more reactive than copper and will displace copper from the solution, while Gold, Silver, and Mercury are less reactive and will not.
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