In going from the top to the bottom of the activity series below, the ease of oxidation of the metal ________, which means that ________.
A)increases; magnesium can reduce zinc ions
B)increases; magnesium ions can oxidize zinc
C)decreases; zinc can reduce magnesium ions
D)increases; zinc ions can oxidize magnesium
E)decreases; magnesium can reduce zinc ions

Question

In going from the top to the bottom of the activity series below, the ease of oxidation of the metal ________, which means that ________. 
A)increases; magnesium can reduce zinc ions 
B)increases; magnesium ions can oxidize zinc 
C)decreases; zinc can reduce magnesium ions 
D)increases; zinc ions can oxidize magnesium 
E)decreases; magnesium can reduce zinc ions

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In going from the top to the bottom of the activity series, the ease of oxidation of the metal decreases, which means that a metal higher in the activity series can reduce the ions of a metal lower in the activity series. Therefore, magnesium, which is higher in the activity series, can reduce zinc ions.

In Going from the Top to the Bottom of the Activity