Question

Which of these ions will spontaneously react with Ni(s) in solution? Mn2+ (aq), Na+ (aq), Cu2+ (aq), Ba2+ (aq)

A. Write the half-reactions for each ion.
B. Identify the reduction potential of each ion.
C. Determine the ion with the highest reduction potential.
D. Predict the spontaneous reaction with Ni(s).

Answer 1

The ion that will spontaneously react with Ni(s) is the one with a higher reduction potential than nickel. Cu2+ is known to have a higher reduction potential and will therefore spontaneously react with Ni(s). Looking up the exact standard reduction potentials in a reference table will confirm this.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which ions will spontaneously react with Ni(s) we need to look at their reduction potentials compared to nickel.

1. Half-reactions for each ion are:
   
2. The reduction potentials are needed to find the potential of each half-reaction.
3. The ion with the highest reduction potential compared to Ni(s) will be reduced spontaneously.
4. To predict a spontaneous reaction with Ni(s), we would choose the ion with the higher reduction potential than that of nickel. The respective standard reduction potentials need to be looked up in a standard reduction potential table. According to such tables, Cu2+ has a higher reduction potential than Ni, so it will spontaneously react with Ni(s).