Question

Which one of the following metals would NOT displace hydrogen from a dilute solution of HCl? 1. Ag 2. Fe 3. Al 4. Ni

Answer 1

Answer:

Ag

Explanation:

To determine which element will displace hydrogen from a dilute acid, we need to make reference to the activity series or the electrochemical series. The activity series is a list of metallic ions according to their electropositivity.

This means elements are ranked here based on how electrically positive they are. Hence, an element above another element is relatively more electropositive than the one under it. For example calcium is less electropositive compared to sodium as calcium is found under sodium in the list.

Now, for an element to displace hydrogen, it means the particular element is more electropositive than hydrogen on the activity series. All the elements in the options are in a greater position relative to hydrogen on the activity series except silver. This means it cannot displace hydrogen from a dilute mineral acid