1. St. Augustine Preparatory School November 21, 2016
Chapter 8 – Section 3 Activity Series of Elements and Product Solubility
St. Augustine Preparatory School
November 21, 2016

2. Solubility – Is it (s), (l), (g), or (aq)?
Elements – Provided the reaction occurs at room temperature, the state of matter for any element will be determined by the color of its box on the periodic table. Compounds/Molecules: Use the solubility chart.

3. Using the Solubility Chart
Step 1: Find the anion (negatively charged) in the first row. Step 2: Look in row 2 and 3 of the same column for the cation (positively charged). Step 3: If it is in row 2 (very soluble) the compound/molecules state will be aqueous (aq). If it is in row 3 (slightly soluble) ) the compound/molecules state will be solid (s).

4. Example – Are the following (s) or (aq)?
AgCl
Pb(Br)2
Cu(Cl)2
Pb(I)2

5. Example – Are the following (s) or (aq)?
AgCl (s)
Pb(Br)2 (s)
Fe(Cl)3 (aq)
Cu(Cl)2 (aq)

6. Cu(s) + 2 HOH(l) -> Cu(OH)2(s) + H2(g)
Activity Series of the Elements
The ability of an element to react is referred to as the elements activity.
An activity series is a list of elements organized according to how like each element is to undergo a certain reaction
Just because we can write a chemical reaction on paper, does not necessarily mean it will happen. For example:
Cu(s) + 2 HOH(l) -> Cu(OH)2(s) + H2(g)
If you place a piece of copper in water, you will not observe the above reaction

7. This is the Activity Series of the Elements
This is the Activity Series of the Elements. I have posted it as a PDF on the website. You will be given the Activity Series of the Elements on your test.

8. Examples
For the following reactions, predict whether or not a reaction will occur:
Zn(s) + H2O(l)  _______________
Sn(s) + O2(g)  _______________
Cd(s) + Pb(NO3)2  _______________
Cu(s) + HCl(aq)  _______________
50°C

9. Answers
50°C
Zn(s) + H2O(l)  Zinc only reacts with water vapor (greater than 100 degrees), therefore no reaction will occur.
Sn(s) + O2(g)  A reaction will occur and the product will be tin oxide.
Cd(s) + Pb(NO3)2  Any element can replace an element lower than itself in the activity series. Since Pb is lower than Cd, Cd will take the place of the Pb. The product of the reaction will be solid lead and cadmium nitrate.
Cu(s) + HCl(aq)  Any element more active than hydrogen will replace hydrogen from an acid. Copper is below hydrogen though, so no reaction takes place.

10. Questions to Work On
Using the activity series, predict if the following reactions will take place and then provide a balanced chemical equation for those that will:
Al(s) + ZnCl2(aq) ->
Pb(s) + O2(g) ->
Cd(s) + 2HBr(aq) ->
Mg(s) + steam ->
2. Identify the element that replaces hydrogen from acids but cannot replace tin from its compounds.
3. What is the most active transition metal?