Which of the following metals does not react with water to produce hydrogen?
Answer Details
The reactivity of a metal with water depends on its position in the reactivity series. The reactivity series is a list of metals arranged in order of their ability to displace hydrogen from water and acids.
The reactivity of metals with water increases from copper to zinc to sodium and potassium. Copper is the least reactive metal in the list, and it does not react with water to produce hydrogen.
When a metal reacts with water, it forms a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The more reactive the metal, the more vigorously it reacts with water to produce hydrogen. Sodium and potassium are the most reactive metals, and they react violently with water to produce hydrogen gas.
Therefore, the metal that does not react with water to produce hydrogen is copper.