Multiple Choice
Which element is the best reducing agent?
16. Oxidation and Reduction
Spontaneous Redox Reactions
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In a single-displacement redox reaction, which metal will spontaneously displace nickel from a nickel(II) compound such as (i.e., will reduce to )?
A
Gold,
B
Copper,
C
Silver,
D
Zinc,
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that in a single-displacement redox reaction, a metal will spontaneously displace another metal ion from solution if it is more reactive (has a higher tendency to lose electrons).
Identify that the metal ion in solution is nickel(II), represented as \(\mathrm{Ni^{2+}}\), which can be reduced to solid nickel, \(\mathrm{Ni}\).
Recall that the ability of a metal to displace another from its ion depends on their standard reduction potentials; the metal with a lower (more negative) reduction potential will oxidize (lose electrons) and displace the metal ion with a higher (more positive) reduction potential.
Look up or recall the standard reduction potentials for the metals involved: gold (Au), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and zinc (Zn). Metals like zinc have a more negative reduction potential compared to nickel, meaning zinc can lose electrons more easily and reduce \(\mathrm{Ni^{2+}}\) to \(\mathrm{Ni}\).
Conclude that zinc will spontaneously displace nickel from its compound because zinc is more reactive and can reduce \(\mathrm{Ni^{2+}}\) ions to nickel metal.
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