Why does copper replace the silver in silver nitrate during a single displacement reaction?

• A. Because copper and silver have the same reactivity.
• B. Because copper is more reactive than silver according to the activity series.
• C. Because silver is more reactive than copper according to the activity series.
• D. Because copper forms a stronger bond with nitrate than silver does.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of the activity series, which is a list of metals ranked by their reactivity. Metals higher in the series can displace metals lower in the series from their compounds in single displacement reactions.
2. Identify the metals involved: copper (Cu) and silver (Ag). According to the activity series, copper is placed above silver, meaning copper is more reactive than silver.
3. Recognize that in a single displacement reaction, a more reactive metal can replace a less reactive metal from its compound. Since copper is more reactive, it can displace silver from silver nitrate (AgNO\_3).
4. Write the general reaction: copper metal reacts with silver nitrate solution to form copper nitrate and silver metal. The equation is: \(\mathrm{Cu (s) + 2AgNO\_3 (aq) \rightarrow Cu(NO\_3)\_2 (aq) + 2Ag (s)}\).
5. Conclude that the reason copper replaces silver in silver nitrate is because copper's higher reactivity allows it to displace silver ions from the solution, forming copper nitrate and solid silver.