10.1.2

Displacement Reactions

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Displacement Reactions

A more reactive metal (one that forms positive ions more easily) can remove a less reactive metal from a compound. This is called a displacement reaction.

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Displacement order

  • A metal can only displace another metal from a compound if it is located above it in the reactivity series.
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Example of a displacement reaction

  • Calcium is higher in the reactivity series than copper. This means that calcium is able to displace copper from a copper sulfate solution to create calcium sulfate.
    • Calcium + copper sulfate → calcium sulfate + copper
    • Ca(s) + CuSO4(aq) → CaSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
  • Platinum, on the other hand, is less reactive than copper and so would not be able to displace copper from a copper sulfate solution.
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Redox reactions

  • Displacement reactions are examples of redox reactions .
  • In metal displacement reactions, the more reactive metal loses electrons (oxidised) and the less reactive metal gains electrons (reduced).

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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