Displacement Reactions
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 4.2.2
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.
Displacement order
- A metal can only displace another metal from a compound if it is located above it in the reactivity series.
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.
Test yourself on Displacement Reactions
Platinum is less reactive than copper. Which word equation is possible?
Calcium is higher than copper in the reactivity series, and platinum is lower than copper. Which word equation is possible?
What is the correct symbol equation for the reaction between calcium and copper sulfate solution?
Select the true statement from each pair.