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Chapter 7: Problem 11

(a) The five most abundant elements in the Earth's crust are $\mathrm{O}, \mathrm{Si}, \mathrm{Al}, \mathrm{Fe},\( and Ca. Referring to Figure \)7.1,$ are any of these elements among those known before \(1700 ?\) If so which ones? (b) Seven of the nine elements known since ancient times are metals. Referring to Table \(4.5,\) are these metals mostly found at the bottom or top of the activity series?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The five most abundant elements in the Earth's crust are Oxygen (O), Silicon (Si), Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), and Calcium (Ca). Out of these elements, only Iron (Fe) was known before 1700. The seven ancient metals are mostly found at the bottom of the activity series, according to the activity series in Table 4.5.

Step by step solution

01

Check the most abundant elements in the Earth's crust

Referring to Figure 7.1, the five most abundant elements in the Earth's crust are Oxygen (O), Silicon (Si), Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), and Calcium (Ca).
02

Determine which of these elements were known before 1700

According to the historical context, the elements known since ancient times before 1700 are: Gold (Au), Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), and Iron (Fe). From the list above, only **Iron (Fe)** is among the Earth's five most abundant elements. #b. Metals Position in the Activity Series#
03

Identify the activity series of metals

Referring to Table 4.5, the activity series of metals is a list showing metals in order of decreasing reactivity based on their ability to displace hydrogen from water and acids.
04

Compare the ancient metals to the activity series

The seven ancient metals are Gold (Au), Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), and Iron (Fe). We need to check their position in the activity series, which is: - K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, **Fe**, Sn, **Pb**, H, **Cu**, **Ag**, **Hg**, **Au** (From top to bottom) Out of the seven ancient metals, six of them are found in the bottom half of the activity series: Gold (Au), Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb), and Mercury (Hg). Only Iron (Fe) is found in the top half. Conclusion: The ancient metals are mostly found at the **bottom** of the activity series.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Discussing this chapter, a classmate says, "An element that commonly forms a cation is a metal." Do you agree or disagree?

Discussing this chapter, a classmate says, "Since elements that form cations are metals and elements that form anions are nonmetals, elements that do not form ions are metalloids." Do you agree or disagree?

Write a balanced equation for the reaction that occurs in each of the following cases: (a) Lithium is added to water. (b) Calcium is added to water. (c) Potassium reacts with chlorine gas. (d) Rubidium reacts with oxygen.

Some metal oxides, such as \(\mathrm{Sc}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3},\) do not react with pure water, but they do react when the solution becomes either acidic or basic. Do you expect \(\mathrm{Sc}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) to react when the solution becomes acidic or when it becomes basic? Write a balinced chemical equation to support vour answer.

(a) One of the alkali metals reacts with oxygen to form a solid white substance. When this substance is dissolved in water, the solution gives a positive test for hydrogen peroxide, \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}\). When the solution is tested in a burner flame, a lilac-purple flame is produced. What is the likely identity of the metal? (b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of the white substance with water.
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