A student did experiments to establish the relative reactivity of metallic Zn, C

Question

A student did experiments to establish the relative reactivity of metallic Zn, Cu, and Pb. The following observations were made (a) both Zn and Pb metals reacted with 6M HCl, but Cu metal did not; (b) there was no reaction between lead(II) sulfate solution (PbSO_4) and Cu metal, but there was a reaction between PbSO_4 solution and Zn metal. Write chemical equations based on each of the observations in (a) above. Write chemical equations describing the observations in (b). List the three metals and hydrogen in order of relative reactivity.

Explanation / Answer

3. Reactivity of Zn, Cu and Pb

(1) Reactions

Observations in (a)

Zn and Pb reacts with 6 M HCl

Zn + 2HCl ---> ZnCl2 + H2(g)

Pb + 2HCl ---> PbCl2 + H2(g)

Cu + HCl ---> No reaction

(2) Reactions based on observation in (b)

PbSO4 + Zn ---> Pb + ZnSO4

PbSO4 + Cu ---> No reaction

(3) The reactivity order of the metals would be,

Zn > Pb > Cu

So Zn would displace both Pb2+ and Cu2+ from solution. Pb would displace Cu2+ from solution.

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