In the electrochemical series, a metal higher in the series will
- A. displace a metal lower in the series from its salt solution
- B. be displaced by a metal lower in the series
- C. never react with acids
- D. always be a poor conductor
Explanation
A more reactive metal gives up electrons more readily, so it reduces the ions of a less reactive metal and takes their place in solution, which is why zinc displaces copper from copper sulphate but copper cannot displace zinc. The same order predicts which metals react with dilute acid to release hydrogen, namely those above hydrogen in the series. Displacement reactions are always redox reactions.
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