The reason food cans are coated with tin instead of zinc is that zinc is more reactive than tin. This means zinc is more likely to react with the food contents, potentially making them unsafe to eat.
Explanation:
Reactivity:
Zinc is higher on the reactivity series than tin, meaning it’s more likely to react with other substances, including the food inside the can.
Safety:
The reaction between zinc and the food could introduce harmful compounds or alter the taste and texture, making the food unsafe for consumption.
Tin’s Role:
Tin, being less reactive, is a better choice for food packaging as it is less likely to react with the food and preserve it.
Therefore, the correct answer is (c) zinc is more reactive than tin.