Activity series vs standard reduction potentials (1 Viewer)

[dwayne95]

Hi.

As the title suggests, I am a bit confused about the difference between these two. According to wikipedia they are the same except:

The reactivity series is sometimes quoted in the strict reverse order of standard electrode potentials, when it is also known as the "electrochemical series":
<DL><DD>Li > K > Sr > Ca > Na > Mg > Al > Zn > Cr > Fe > Cd > Co > Ni > Sn > Pb > H > Cu > Ag > Hg > Pt > Au </DD></DL>The positions of lithium and sodium are changed on such a series; gold and platinum are also inverted, although this has little practical significance as both metals are highly unreactive.

So which do you use if you want to work whether a displacement reaction will occur?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[deswa1]

I'm pretty sure you use activity series but you might want to confirm with someone else.

 

[madharris]

U use the activity series to find out if a displacement reaction occurs

And you use the standard electrodes potentials to find the electro motive force (emf)

I'm pretty sure u can use the standard electrodes potentials to find if a displacement reaction occurs. The top will displace the bottom

 

[Kimyia]

Can't you just use the reduction potential table? E.g. if you want to find if metal X will displace metal Y, if metal X is HIGHER on the table than metal Y a displacement reaction will occur.
You can use either but the table is what your given in exams so best to know how to work with that one, I'd say.

 

[deswa1]

As a general rule they are similar but for example, barium is less reactive than sodium (on the acitivity series) but higher on the table of standard potentials. Therefore sodium will displace barium.

 

[someth1ng]

In general, it will work but there are a few exceptions. In an exam, you'd probably be fine using it as an activity series.