(b) Which of the following reactions would you expect to occur according to the activity series you established in part (a)?

Key Concepts

Activity Series

The activity series is a list of metals ranked by their reactivity, with the most reactive metals at the top and the least reactive at the bottom. This series helps predict whether a metal will displace another in a chemical reaction. For example, a metal higher in the series can displace a metal lower in the series from its compound.

Displacement Reactions

Displacement reactions occur when one element replaces another in a compound. In the context of metals, a more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution. Understanding this concept is crucial for predicting the outcomes of reactions based on the activity series.

Chemical Reactivity

Chemical reactivity refers to the tendency of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction, either by itself or with other materials. Factors influencing reactivity include atomic structure, electronegativity, and ionization energy. In the context of the activity series, the reactivity of metals determines their ability to participate in displacement reactions.