IB Chemistry SL Reactivity 3.2.3 Redox Reactivity Trends

Practise comparing how readily metals are oxidised and halogens are reduced. Use displacement evidence or supplied reactivity data to order species, predict whether a reaction…

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
3.2.3
Level
SL

Exam points

  • rank metals by ease of oxidation from which metal displaces another metal ion
  • rank halogens by ease of reduction from halogen and halide displacement evidence
  • predict a spontaneous displacement only when the reacting species favour electron transfer

3.2.3—Periodic trends in redox question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Consider the following spontaneous reactions.

Fe( s)+Ni2+(aq)→Fe2+(aq)+Ni( s)Zn( s)+Fe2+(aq)→Zn2+(aq)+Fe( s)Ni( s)+Pb2+(aq)→Ni2+(aq)+Pb( s)\begin{aligned} & \mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{Ni}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Fe}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{~s}) \\ & \mathrm{Zn}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{Fe}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Zn}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{~s}) \\ & \mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{Pb}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ni}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{~s}) \end{aligned}

Deduce the order of increasing reactivity of the metals based on the reactions above.

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