I have to write a balanced equation for the reaction of a solid lead being added to a solution of silver nitrate. Solid silver forms and the lead disappears as it goes into the solution as lead (ii) nitrate.
I think it should be
Pb + AgNO3 >>>> Ag + Pb(NO3)2
does this mean that silver is the more active metal? I think that silver is the more active metal if I am wrong could you please explain to me why it is not.
See your post above. Pb is above Ag in the table; therefore, Pb is the more active metal and it will displace Ag^+ from solution.
Your balanced equation is correct: Pb + 2AgNO3 -> 2Ag + Pb(NO3)2
In this reaction, the solid lead (Pb) reacts with the silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution to produce solid silver (Ag) and lead (II) nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) in solution.
Regarding your question about the activity of metals, in general, a more active metal will replace a less active metal in a compound during a single displacement reaction. In this case, lead replaces silver in the silver nitrate solution, indicating that lead is more active than silver.
However, it is important to note that the activity of metals can vary depending on the specific reaction and conditions. In some cases, silver may be more reactive than lead, but in this particular reaction, lead is indeed the more active metal.
Yes, you have correctly written the balanced equation for the reaction between solid lead (Pb) and silver nitrate (AgNO3), which produces solid silver (Ag) and lead (II) nitrate (Pb(NO3)2):
Pb + 2AgNO3 → 2Ag + Pb(NO3)2
Your question about which metal is more active is also correct! In this reaction, lead is a less active metal compared to silver.
To explain why silver is more active, we need to consider the reactivity series of metals. The reactivity series arranges metals in order of their reactivity, starting from the most reactive to the least reactive.
In general, metals higher in the reactivity series tend to displace metals lower in the reactivity series from their compounds in aqueous solutions. Silver is higher in the reactivity series compared to lead, so it can displace lead from its compound in the reaction.
Therefore, in this reaction, silver displaces lead from silver nitrate, resulting in the formation of solid silver and lead (II) nitrate.