Predicting chemical reactions using a ranked list of metals
In short: Ever wonder why some metals react violently while others remain inert? This video explains the electrochemical series, a fundamental ranking that predicts how metals donate electrons and determine the voltage of a cell.
The electrochemical series ranks metals and substances based on their ease of oxidation—specifically, how strongly their atoms can force electrons to move. This ranking is measured in Volts, using hydrogen as a universal reference point with an electrode potential of 0V.
By observing the distance between two metals on this series, you can predict the voltage produced in a cell: the further apart they are, the higher the voltage. Furthermore, the series allows you to predict displacement reactions; a more reactive metal higher in the series will displace the ions of a less reactive metal lower down, but the reverse is impossible.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: What Is The Electrochemical Series | Reactions | Chemistry | FuseSchool
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