Could someone explain why this reaction doesn't occur please!

[JMC117]

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Zn + NaNO3 ->

 

[cyrano]

I believe that Zn is lower on the activity series than Na so the reaction will not occur because we already have our most energetically favorable compound. 🙂

Here's a link if you need to brush up on your activity series. Pretty sweet table on the right.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactivity_series

 

[doc toothache]

http://www.tpub.com/content/doe/h1015v1/css/h1015v1_106.htm