Based on the following observations for 3 unidentified metals (Z, X, and D) and solutions of their metal cations (Zn+ and En+), rank the metals in terms of reducing agent strength, from lowest to highest.
-When metal X is placed in an aqueous solution of En+, a dark residue forms on the metal.
-When metal Z is placed in an aqueous solution of En+, the metals appearance does not change.
-When metal D is placed in an aqueous soltuion of Zn+, the metal appearance does not change.
-When metal X is placed in an aqueous solution of Zn+, a dark residue forms on the metal.
Weakest RA________,______,________,______Strongest RA
Forget the n and just go with + and we won't try to balance the electrons. (1) means statement 1; (2) means statement 2 etc. And note that Z ==> Z^+ means Z has lost electrons which means it is oxidized which means it is an reducing agent.
(1) So X is stronger than E.
X ==> X^+ + e
E ==> E^+ + e
(2) means metal Z is below metal E so now table looks like this.
X ==> X^+ + e
E ==> E^+ + e
Z ==> Z^+ + e
(3) means D is below Z. The table now becomes
X ==> X^+ + e
E ==> E^+ + e
Z ==> Z^+ + e
D ==> D^+ + e
(4) means X is above Z so the table under (3) is correct. The strongest reducing agent is at the top and the weakest at the bottom.Omit metal E from the final list.
If you wish to add the n to it all of the above would be written as in this example.
X ==>X^n+ + ne or
Z ==> Z^n+ + ne etc. but sticking that n (for number of electrons just confuses things.It is necessary IF you want to show a balanced equation.
I'm not convinced metal E is needed but it's listed in the question so I've included it.
To rank the metals in terms of reducing agent (RA) strength, let's analyze the observations given:
1. When metal X is placed in an aqueous solution of En+, a dark residue forms on the metal.
2. When metal Z is placed in an aqueous solution of En+, the metal's appearance does not change.
3. When metal D is placed in an aqueous solution of Zn+, the metal's appearance does not change.
4. When metal X is placed in an aqueous solution of Zn+, a dark residue forms on the metal.
From these observations, we can infer the following:
- Metal X is a better reducing agent than En+(since it can reduce En+ ions and form a dark residue).
- Metal Z is not a good reducing agent for En+ ions, as it does not bring about any visible change.
- Metal D is not a good reducing agent for Zn+ ions, as it does not bring about any visible change.
Considering this information, we can rank the metals in increasing order of reducing agent strength:
Weakest RA: Metal Z
Next: Metal D
Next: Metal X
Strongest RA: Not enough information to rank X and En+ definitively, but based on the given observations, metal X appears to be stronger than En+.
So the ranking from weakest to strongest reducing agent strength is: Z, D, X.
To rank the metals in terms of reducing agent strength, we need to analyze the observations given. The formation of a dark residue on the metal's surface indicates that it has the potential to reduce the metal cations in the solution. On the other hand, if there is no change in the metal's appearance, it suggests that it does not have the ability to reduce the metal cations.
Based on the observations:
1. When metal X is placed in an aqueous solution of En+, a dark residue forms on the metal.
2. When metal Z is placed in an aqueous solution of En+, the metal's appearance does not change.
3. When metal D is placed in an aqueous solution of Zn+, the metal's appearance does not change.
4. When metal X is placed in an aqueous solution of Zn+, a dark residue forms on the metal.
From these observations, we can conclude the following:
1. Metal X is a relatively strong reducing agent since it forms a dark residue in both En+ and Zn+ solutions.
2. Metal Z is a weaker reducing agent since there is no change in its appearance when placed in an En+ solution.
3. Metal D is an even weaker reducing agent than metal Z since there is no change in its appearance in a Zn+ solution.
Based on this analysis, the metals can be ranked in terms of reducing agent strength from weakest to strongest as follows:
Weakest RA: Metal D
Next: Metal Z
Next: Metal X
Strongest RA: Not provided in the given observations