Consider the reactivity data for 4 unknown elements and their ions.
| | I (ion) | J (ion) | K (ion) | L (ion) |
| :--------- | :------------ | :------------ | :------------ | :------------ |
| Element I | x | Color change | Color change | Color change |
| Element J | Color change | x | x | x |
| Element K | Color change | x | x | Color change |
| Element L | x | x | x | x |
What is the relative reactivity of the elements from least to most reactive?
A. Element I < Element K < Element J < Element L
B. Element I and L are the same. Element J and K are the same. J and K are less than I and L.
C. Element L < Element J < Element K < Element I
Answer (2)
Analyze the reactivity table to determine which elements react with which ions.
Count the number of reactions for each element.
Rank the elements based on the number of reactions, from least to most.
The relative reactivity from least to most reactive is: L < J < K < I .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a table that shows the reactivity of four unknown elements (I, J, K, L) with the ions of the same elements. An 'x' indicates no reaction, while a 'Color change' indicates a reaction. Our goal is to determine the relative reactivity of the elements from least to most reactive.
Analyzing Reactivity Let's analyze the table to determine the reactivity of each element:
Element I: Reacts with ions of J, K, and L.
Element J: Reacts only with the ion of I.
Element K: Reacts with ions of I and L.
Element L: Reacts with no ions.
Ranking the Elements Based on the number of reactions, we can rank the elements:
Element I reacts with 3 ions.
Element J reacts with 1 ion.
Element K reacts with 2 ions.
Element L reacts with 0 ions.
Determining the Order Therefore, the order of reactivity from least to most reactive is: L < J < K < I.
Final Answer The relative reactivity of the elements from least to most reactive is Element L < Element J < Element K < Element I.
Examples
Understanding reactivity is crucial in many real-world applications. For instance, in battery design, knowing the reactivity of different metals helps engineers choose the best materials for electrodes and electrolytes. Similarly, in corrosion prevention, understanding which metals are more reactive allows for the development of protective coatings that prevent unwanted reactions with the environment. In the synthesis of new materials, controlling reactivity is essential for creating stable and useful compounds. This concept is also vital in environmental science, where understanding the reactivity of pollutants helps in developing strategies for their removal and detoxification.
The relative reactivity of the elements from least to most reactive is Element L < Element J < Element K < Element I. This is based on the number of reactions each element has with the ions. Element I is the most reactive while Element L is the least reactive.
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