Question

Determine whether the following reactions will occur using Table 4.5 in the textbook.

(a) Will iron metal be oxidized by Al3+ (aq) ? Answer: (Yes or No)

(b) Will manganese metal be oxidized by Zn2+ (aq) ? Answer: (Yes or No)

(c) Will sodium metal be oxidized by Li+ (aq) ? Answer: (Yes or No)

(d) Will barium metal react with HCl(aq) to form H2 (g) ? Answer: (Yes or No) (e) Will mercury metal react with HCl(aq) to form H2 (g) ? Answer: (Yes or No)

Answer 1

larger is the reduction potential , more is oxidising capacity (acts as oxidising agent)

smaller is the reduction potential , lesser is reducing capacity (acts as reducing agent)

a)

Al^+3 + 3e- .................Al     E⁰ = -1.66

Fe^+2 +2e- .....................> Fe   E^o = -0.44

so iron metal oxidizes Aluminium

Answer:No

b)

Mn+2 +2e- ..............> Mn(s) E^o = -1.18

Zn^+2 + 2e- ................>Zn   E^o = -0.763

so Zinc can oxidise manganese metal

so answer is Yes

c)

Na^+   + 1e- ................> Na   E^o = -2.71

Li^+   + 1e- ................> Li E^o = -3.05

So sodium oxidises Li

Ans: No

Barium reduction potential is less than Hydrogen

so barium metal react with HCl(aq) to form H2 (g)

Ans is Yes