Using the electrochemical series, how can I explain why manufacturers coat steel nails with zinc rather than copper?

Because the use of zinc is…......... Nah you do the work , or its called cheating :P

See if this helps.

Thanks for the link Harp

Completely ignoring the homework assignment (which seems to be well answered by Harp’s link!), there’s also the very simple reason of material costs:

The current spot price for copper is around $2.80/lb

The current spot price for zinc is around $0.83/lb

You can buy copper coated nails for specialized purposes, and filler wire for welding is normally copper coated (when you burn zinc, you get really nasty fumes—same reason you should never weld on galvanized steel).

Thanks grumpyfish. Yes cost would be one of the factors in choosing a material.
Though I should probably add that this isn’t homework – we haven’t even started Redox Chem in class yet.

Well, I used to frame houses and I’ve never actually seen a copper nail, but I do know that sinker’s have lubricant type of coating that allow for quick nailing, hence the name and galvanized (I’m assuming is the zinc?) is used for holding. I.E. you wouldn’t want to use a sinker for long term use, as in lets say a house wall. It would rust and become brittle over time and eventually not be very “secure” in it’s placing. Galvanized nails on the other hand are jagged, not smooth like the other and will fight off rust and corrosion. Most housing and stuff built for long term use are made with galvanized steal. I’m not sure if this helps.