Final answer:
Yes, the reaction between lead (Pb) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) will take place. Lead is above silver in the reactivity series, indicating that it can displace silver from its compound, resulting in a single replacement reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using the reactivity series to determine whether a reaction between lead (Pb) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) will occur, we assess the relative positions of lead and silver in the series. The reactivity series lists metals in order of their tendency to be oxidized, or to lose electrons. A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from its compounds in solution.
In this case, lead is above silver in the reactivity series, meaning that lead is more reactive than silver. Thus, when lead is placed into a solution of silver nitrate, it can displace the silver and form lead nitrate and solid silver as the products. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Pb (s) + 2 AgNO3 (aq) → Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2 Ag (s)
The answer to the question is Yes, the reaction between lead and silver nitrate will take place given the activity series. This is classified as a type of single replacement reaction, where one element replaces another in a compound.