Which reaction will most likely take place based on the activity series?

[tex]\[
Li \ \textgreater \ K \ \textgreater \ Ba \ \textgreater \ Ca \ \textgreater \ Na \ \textgreater \ Mn \ \textgreater \ Zn \ \textgreater \ Cr \ \textgreater \ Fe \ \textgreater \ Cd \ \textgreater \ Ni \ \textgreater \ H \ \textgreater \ Sb \ \textgreater \ Cu \ \textgreater \ Ag \ \textgreater \ Pd \ \textgreater \ Hg \ \textgreater \ Pt
\][/tex]

A. [tex]\( Pt + FeCl_3 \rightarrow \)[/tex]

B. [tex]\( Mn + CaO \rightarrow \)[/tex]

C. [tex]\( Li + ZnCO_3 \rightarrow \)[/tex]

D. [tex]\( Cu + 2 KNO_3 \)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which reaction is most likely to take place based on the given activity series, we need to compare the reactivity of the metals involved in each reaction. The activity series indicates the reactivity of metals, where a more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its compound.

Here is the given activity series:
[tex]\[ \text{Li} > \text{K} > \text{Ba} > \text{Ca} > \text{Na} > \text{Mn} > \text{Zn} > \text{Cr} > \text{Fe} > \text{Cd} > \text{Ni} > \text{H} > \text{Sb} > \text{Cu} > \text{Ag} > \text{Pd} > \text{Hg} > \text{Pt} \][/tex]

Now, we will analyze each reaction individually:

1. [tex]\(\text{Pt} + \text{FeCl}_3\)[/tex]
- In this reaction, platinum (Pt) is compared with iron (Fe). According to the activity series, Pt is less reactive than Fe (Fe is listed higher than Pt). Therefore, Pt cannot displace Fe from FeCl₃. No reaction will occur in this case.

2. [tex]\(\text{Mn} + \text{CaO}\)[/tex]
- Here, manganese (Mn) is compared with calcium (Ca). According to the activity series, Ca is more reactive than Mn (Ca is listed higher than Mn). As a result, Mn cannot displace Ca from CaO. No reaction will occur in this case.

3. [tex]\(\text{Li} + \text{ZnCO}_3\)[/tex]
- In this reaction, lithium (Li) is compared with zinc (Zn). According to the activity series, Li is more reactive than Zn (Li is listed higher than Zn). This means that Li can displace Zn from ZnCO₃, resulting in the formation of lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) and zinc (Zn). This reaction will take place:
[tex]\[ \text{Li} + \text{ZnCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{Zn} \][/tex]

4. [tex]\(\text{Cu} + 2\text{KNO}_3\)[/tex]
- Here, copper (Cu) is compared with potassium (K). According to the activity series, K is more reactive than Cu (K is listed higher than Cu). Therefore, Cu cannot displace K from KNO₃. No reaction will occur in this case.

Based on the provided activity series, the only reaction that will most likely take place is:
[tex]\[ \text{Li} + \text{ZnCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{Zn} \][/tex]

Thus, the correct answer is reaction 3.