Question

Which is the least reactive metal in the reactivity series?
A-Copper
B-Mercury
C-Silver
D-Gold

Answer 1

Hint: The arrangement of metals in decreasing order of their reactivity is called a Reactivity series. This series is used to determine whether given metal can displace another metal in a displacement reaction.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that reactivity series is arranged in such a way that as we move from bottom to top, reactivity of the metals increases.
The series is given as –

As we can see in the series, out of all the given options gold is the least reactive metal.
So, option D is correct.

Additional information:
Along with reactivity the reducing nature of the metals also goes on increasing as we move from top to bottom. This means that the metals at the top of the reactivity series are most powerful reducing agents. The electropositive nature of the elements also increases as we move from bottom to top in the series. The metals placed on the higher side also tend to tarnish or corrode easily.
All metals which are placed above Hydrogen in the series release hydrogen gas on reacting with dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute sulphuric acid.
Suppose we are given a displacement reaction and we have been told to determine which metal will displace the given metal. Then, if we look into the reactivity series, the metal which is placed above the given metal will displace it in the reaction.

Note: As we move down in the reactivity series, electron donating tendency of the metals decreases. So, the metals at the very bottom are least reactive and the ones at the top of the series are highly reactive.