Question

A metal less reactive and another metal more reactive than hydrogen are:
A.) Aluminum and lead
B.) Iron and magnesium
C.) Copper and tin
D.) Copper and mercury

Answer 1

Hint: This can be solved using the concept of reactivity series in which the element which is reactive than hydrogen is placed above hydrogen and the element which is less reactive than hydrogen is placed below the hydrogen in reactivity series.

Complete step by step answer:
The reactivity series helps us to predict how metals will react. The more reactive metal is placed at the top of series and less reactive metals at the bottom of the series. The reactivity of metals decreases as we go from top to down in the reactivity series. The reactivity series can be given and remembered as follows:

Potassium	Please (Most reactive)
Sodium	Stop
Calcium	Calling
Magnesium	Me
Aluminum	A
Carbon	Careless
Zinc	Zebra
Iron	Instead
Tin	Try
Lead	Learning
Hydrogen	How
Copper	Copper
Mercury	May
Silver	Save
Gold	Gold (least reactive)

For option A.)
As we can see that aluminium and lead, both are above hydrogen in reactivity series. Therefore, they both are more reactive than hydrogen. Hence, option A.) is not correct.
Fore option B.)
As we can see that magnesium and iron both are above hydrogen in reactivity series. Therefore, they both are more reactive than hydrogen. Hence, option B.) is also incorrect.
For option C.)
As we can see that in this option, the first metal that is copper is below that hydrogen in the reactivity series so, copper is less reactive than hydrogen and the second metal that is tin is placed above the hydrogen in the reactivity series, so tin is more reactive than hydrogen. Therefore, copper is less reactive and tin is more reactive than hydrogen. Hence option C.) is the correct option.
For option D.)
As we can see in this option that copper and mercury, both are below hydrogen in reactivity series. Therefore, both are less reactive than hydrogen. Hence, option D.) is also incorrect.

So, Option C is correct.

Note: Remember that the reactivity of a metal decreases from top to bottom and the more reactive metal will displace the less reactive metal from the compound in a reaction. Thus, it also helps us to predict a reaction.