In the laboratory, you are given two small chips of each of the unknown metals X, Y, and Z, along

with dropper bottles containing solutions of XCl2(aq) and ZCl2(aq). Describe an experimental

strategy you could use to determine the relative activities of X, Y, and Z.

Wording and strategies will vary. First, place one chip of Y into XCl2(aq) and another into ZCl2(aq). If Y reacts with one solution but not the other, the activity series can be established. If Y replaces X but not Z, the series is Z  Y  X. If Y replaces Z but not X, the series is X  Y  Z. If Y reacts with neither solution, Y is at the bottom of the series. Next, put one chip of X into ZCl2(aq). If it reacts, the series is X  Z  Y. If it does not react, the series is Z  X  Y. If Y reacts with both solutions, Y is the most reactive. Last, put a chip of X into ZCl2(aq). If it reacts, the series is Y  X  Z. If it does not react, the series is Y  Z X.