Question

Can someone explain to me how an electrochemical series is organized?

Answer 1

@Rushwr

Answer 2

The electrochemical series is built up by arranging various redox equilibria in order of their standard electrode potentials (redox potentials). The most negative E° values are placed at the top of the electrochemical series, and the most positive at the bottom.

Answer 3

@rushwr say if we had one metal thats higher than another in the series what does this mean?

Answer 4

Also, what does a more negative value mean?b

Answer 5

Usually in an electrochemical series when you go down the series the oxidising ability increases. So when going up the reducing ability increases.
Metals at the top of the series are good at giving away electrons. They are good reducing agents. The reducing ability of the metal increases as you go up the series.
Metal ions at the bottom of the series are good at picking up electrons. They are good oxidizing agents. The oxidizing ability of the metal ions increases as you go down the series.

The more negative the E° value, the more readily the metal loses electrons. The more negative the value, the stronger reducing agent the metal is.
The more positive the E° value,the less readily the metal loses electrons, and the more readily its ions pick them up again. The more positive the value, the stronger oxidizing agent the metal ion is