Question

An unknown metal X was found to react with copper(II) ions but not with zinc ions. Where would this metal be located in your activity series from Question 2?

Question 2:

	Metal	Reduction Potential
Lowest Reduction Potential:   1	Magnesium	-1.528 V
2	Iron	-0.015 V
3	Aluminum	-0.012 V
4	Copper	0.000 V
Highest Reduction Potential: 5	Zinc	0.006

Answer 1

X ----> X+2 + 2e-

Cu+2 + 2e- ----> Cu

Net reaction :

X + Cu+2 ----> X+2 + Cu

E = Eoxid + Ered

E must be positive to happen reaction

E = Eoxid = +ve

So it means

X metal reduction potential should be negative

X ----> X+2 + 2e-

Zn+2 + 2e- ----> Zn

Net reaction

X + Zn+2 ----> X+2 + Zn

E = Eoxi + Ered = Eoxi + 0.006

E must be negative to not happen this reaction

So ,

Eoxi is negative and greater than 0.006

It means Ered must greater than 0.006

Ered of X > 0.006 V

So answer is

X metal lies below Zinc

As X cannot reduce Zn it lies below Zinc