Silver Tarnish and Reactivity Series

I read that silver in the presence of hydrogen sulfide corrodes to form silver sulfide and hydrogen.

$$\ce{Ag + H2S -> AgS + H2}$$

But in the reactivity series silver is placed much below hydrogen.

So, how is this displacement reaction taking place at all?

Reference:

J. Chem. Educ. 2000, 77, 3, 328A; doi 10.1021/ed077p328A

asked Oct 11 '20 at 15:21

Shub

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2

$\begingroup$ Are you aware the reactivity serie applies to hydrated ions ? $\endgroup$ – Poutnik Oct 11 '20 at 15:45
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$\begingroup$ @Poutnik Franky, no. I only know the reactivity series of metals and anions. $\endgroup$ – Shub Oct 11 '20 at 15:47
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$\begingroup$ I don't quite believe this happens. Oxygen is a part of the process too. $\endgroup$ – Ivan Neretin Oct 11 '20 at 15:51
$\begingroup$ @Shub Please note ChemSE uses mhchem to ease writing chemical equations / formulae. It functions well in questions, answers, comments; but because it is something special, you should not use it to format the title of a question. Its scope is described on mhchem.github.io/MathJax-mhchem. $\endgroup$ – Buttonwood Oct 11 '20 at 16:29
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$\begingroup$ And AgS is not formed. $\endgroup$ – Ed V Oct 11 '20 at 19:16

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