Question

Explain why aluminum does not react with potassium nitrate (KNO3) although it reacts with copper nitrate

Answer 1

Answer:

Potassium is more reactive than aluminium, so no reaction takes place. But aluminium is more reactive than copper, so it replaces the copper in copper nitrate

Explanation:

More reactive metal compound + less reactive metal

-> no reaction

However

Less reactive metal compound + more reactive metal

-> more reactive metal compound + less reactive metal

This is called substitution reaction where the more reactive metal replaces the less reactive metal in the compound.