When a small piece of tin metal is dropped into various aqueous solutions, the reaction or lack thereof depends on the reactivity of the metal ions in the solution. Here’s what happens in each case:
a. Ca(NO3)2 (aq)
No Reaction: Calcium is more reactive than tin, so tin will not displace calcium from its compound. Therefore, no reaction occurs.
b. Ni(NO3)2 (aq)
Reaction: Nickel is less reactive than tin. Tin will displace nickel from its compound, leading to the formation of tin(II) nitrate and nickel metal.
Reaction: Sn + Ni(NO3)2 → Sn(NO3)2 + Ni
c. HNO3 (aq)
Reaction: Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. It will oxidize tin to tin(II) nitrate, releasing nitrogen oxides and water.
Reaction: Sn + 4HNO3 → Sn(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O
d. Cr(NO3)3 (aq)
No Reaction: Chromium is more reactive than tin, so tin will not displace chromium from its compound. Therefore, no reaction occurs.
e. Pb(NO3)2 (aq)
Reaction: Lead is less reactive than tin. Tin will displace lead from its compound, leading to the formation of tin(II) nitrate and lead metal.
Reaction: Sn + Pb(NO3)2 → Sn(NO3)2 + Pb
f. AgNO3 (aq)
Reaction: Silver is less reactive than tin. Tin will displace silver from its compound, leading to the formation of tin(II) nitrate and silver metal.
Reaction: Sn + 2AgNO3 → Sn(NO3)2 + 2Ag