Some metals occur naturally in their elemental state while others occur as compounds in ores. Gold, for instance, is found as the free metal; mercury is obtained by heating mercury(II) sulfide ore in oxygen; and zinc is obtained by heating zinc(II) oxide ore with coke (carbon). Judging from their positions in the activity series, which of the metals sil-ver, platinum, and chromium would probably be obtained by (a) finding it in its elemental state?

Verified step by step guidance

1. insert step 1: Understand the activity series concept. The activity series is a list of metals ranked by their reactivity. Metals higher in the series are more reactive and are more likely to be found in compounds, while those lower in the series are less reactive and more likely to be found in their elemental state.
2. insert step 2: Identify the positions of silver, platinum, and chromium in the activity series. Typically, platinum is one of the least reactive metals, followed by silver, while chromium is more reactive.
3. insert step 3: Analyze the reactivity of each metal. Since platinum is very low in the activity series, it is less likely to react with other elements and more likely to be found in its elemental state.
4. insert step 4: Compare the reactivity of silver and chromium. Silver is less reactive than chromium, meaning it is more likely to be found in its elemental state than chromium.
5. insert step 5: Conclude that, based on their positions in the activity series, platinum is the most likely to be found in its elemental state, followed by silver, and chromium is the least likely.

Key Concepts

Activity Series of Metals

The activity series is a list of metals ranked by their reactivity, with the most reactive metals at the top and the least reactive at the bottom. This series helps predict how metals will react with other substances, including their likelihood of being found in their elemental state. Metals higher in the series tend to be more reactive and are usually found in compounds, while those lower in the series are more likely to be found as free metals.

Elemental State of Metals

The elemental state of a metal refers to its natural, uncombined form, where it exists as a pure substance rather than in a compound. Metals like gold and platinum are often found in their elemental state due to their low reactivity, which prevents them from easily forming compounds. Understanding which metals can exist in this state is crucial for identifying potential sources of these metals in nature.

Reduction Processes in Metallurgy

Reduction processes in metallurgy involve the extraction of metals from their ores by removing oxygen or other elements. For example, heating zinc(II) oxide with carbon reduces the oxide to elemental zinc. This concept is essential for understanding how different metals are obtained from their ores and why some metals can be found in their elemental state while others require reduction from compounds.