Question

Assertion (A): Different metals have different reactivities with water and dilute acids.
Reason (R): Extraction of a metal from its ore depends on its position in the reactivity series.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
• D. (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyze Assertion (A):
Assertion (A) asserts that metals exhibit varying reactivities with water and dilute acids. This statement is accurate. A metal's reactivity is determined by its placement within the reactivity series. For instance, highly reactive metals like potassium and sodium react vigorously with water. Conversely, less reactive metals such as gold and platinum demonstrate minimal to no reaction with water or dilute acids.

Step 2: Analyze Reason (R):
Reason (R) posits that the method of extracting a metal from its ore is contingent upon its position in the reactivity series. This statement is also true. A metal's position in the reactivity series dictates the ease of its extraction from its ore. Metals with higher reactivity (higher in the series) require more complex extraction methods, such as electrolysis or reduction. Metals with lower reactivity (lower in the series) can be extracted through simpler techniques.

Step 3: Evaluate the Relationship:
Reason (R) provides a direct explanation for Assertion (A). The reactivity of a metal with water and dilute acids is intrinsically linked to its position in the reactivity series. Metals positioned higher in the series, being more reactive, interact more vigorously with water and acids, whereas metals lower in the series are less reactive. Furthermore, the ease of extraction from an ore is a consequence of the metal's reactivity, with more reactive metals posing greater extraction challenges.

Step 4: Conclusion:
The conclusive determination is: Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) correctly elucidates (A). Reason (R) offers a valid justification for the differential reactivities observed among metals when interacting with water and dilute acids, attributing these differences to their respective positions in the reactivity series.