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Magnesium is a more reactive metal than copper - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 6
Magnesium is a more reactive metal than copper. Why? A. Copper forms positive ions more readily than magnesium. B. Copper is higher in the reactivity series than ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Magnesium is a more reactive metal than copper - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Why?
Answer
The correct answer is D. Magnesium loses its outer electrons more easily than copper.
Explanation:
Magnesium is located higher in the reactivity series compared to copper. This means that magnesium is more inclined to lose its outer electrons and form positive ions. In contrast, copper, being a less reactive metal, holds onto its electrons more tightly.
In chemical terms, the reactivity of metals is often associated with their ability to lose electrons. A more reactive metal will readily lose its outer electrons, thus forming cations more easily. Therefore, option D provides the best explanation for why magnesium is more reactive than copper.