Chemistry 11 Warren—NKEC

Name: ________________________

Activity Series A replacement reaction takes place when one metal replaces the other in its aqueous solution. A rule is followed in deciding which metal can replace the one already present in an aqueous solution. This is decided by a table of elements called the Activity series. The activity series is a list of elements organized according to their tendency to react (their reactivity). The more readily an element reacts with other substances, the greater is its activity.

Activity Series Chart

Elements higher up in the series will replace elements lower in the activity series in a single displacement reaction

Cation Reactivity Li Rb K Reacts with cold water and acids, Ba replacing Hydrogen; Sr reacts with oxygen, forming oxides. Ca Na Mg Al Reacts with steam, Mn (but not cold water) and acids, Zn replacing hydrogen; Cr reacts with oxygen, forming oxides Fe Cd Co Does not react with water; Ni reacts with acids, replacing hydrogen; Sn reacts with oxygen, forming oxides. Pb H2 Sb Bi Reacts with oxygen forming oxides. Cu Hg Ag Fairly nonreactive, Pt forms oxides only indirectly. Au

Example 1:

CuSO4 (aq) + 2 Li (s)  Cu (s) + Li2SO4 (aq)

Example 2:

Cu (s) + Li2SO4 (aq)  no reaction!!!

Anion F Cl Br I