Chemistry 2001 JAMB Past Questions - Question 24: A metal M displaces zinc from zinc chloride solution. This shows that

Correct Answer

C

Explanation

If a metal M displaces zinc from a zinc chloride solution, it indicates that metal M is more reactive than zinc. This observation is in line with the reactivity series of metals, which is a list of metals arranged in order of their reactivity, with the most reactive metals at the top and the least reactive metals at the bottom.

Zinc is moderately reactive, so any metal that can displace zinc from its compounds in a reaction is more reactive than zinc. This displacement reaction is an example of a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, where one metal (in this case, metal M) is oxidized by losing electrons, and zinc is reduced by gaining those electrons.

The reactivity series of metals typically looks like this, with the most reactive metals at the top:

1. Potassium
2. Sodium
3. Calcium
4. Magnesium
5. Aluminum
6. Zinc
7. Iron
8. Tin
9. Lead
10. Hydrogen
11. Copper
12. Mercury
13. Silver
14. Gold

If metal M is higher in the reactivity series than zinc, it can displace zinc from its compounds in a reaction. This information is often used in understanding and predicting the outcomes of various chemical reactions involving metals.