Question

Based on the activity series, which one of the reactions below will occur?

a. 2AgNO₃ (aq) + Pb (s) → 2Ag (s) + Pb(NO₃)₂ (aq)
b. 3FeBr₂ (aq) + 2Au (s) → 3Fe (s) + 2AuBr₃ (aq)
c. 3Hg (l) + 2Cr(NO₃)₃ (aq) → 3Hg(NO₃)₂ + 2Cr (s)
d. Zn (s) + MnI₂ (aq) → ZnI₂ (aq) + Mn (s)

Answer 1

Based on the activity series, the reaction that will occur is option a: 2AgNO₃ (aq) + Pb (s) → 2Ag (s) + Pb(NO₃)₂ (aq).

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the activity series, a single-replacement reaction occurs when an element is capable of replacing another element that is below it in the activity series. In this case, we can determine whether a reaction will occur by comparing the metals in the given reactions to their positions in the activity series. The reaction that will occur is option a, 2AgNO₃ (aq) + Pb (s) → 2Ag (s) + Pb(NO₃)₂ (aq), because silver (Ag) is above lead (Pb) in the activity series, indicating that Ag can replace Pb in a reaction. The other reactions will not occur because the metals in those reactions are not capable of replacing the metals below them in the activity series.