Metal Displacement Reactions Flashcards

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What is a metal displacement reaction?

A metal displacement reaction is when a more reactive metal pushes a less reactive metal out of its compound, usually from a solution.

When will a solid metal displace another metal from a metal salt solution?

A solid metal will displace another metal from its salt solution if it is higher, or more reactive, in the reactivity series than the dissolved metal.

Magnesium is more reactive than copper. What are the products when magnesium reacts with copper sulfate solution?

The products are magnesium sulfate solution and copper metal. Word equation: magnesium + copper sulfate -> magnesium sulfate + copper.

Copper is less reactive than magnesium. What happens when copper is placed in magnesium sulfate solution?

No reaction happens, because copper is not reactive enough to displace magnesium from its solution.

What would you see when an iron nail is left in blue copper sulfate solution?

A brown coating of copper forms on the nail, and the blue colour of the solution fades or turns pale green.

How can you use displacement reactions to decide which of two unknown metals is more reactive?

Put each metal into the same metal salt solution. The metal that causes a displacement reaction, or reacts faster, is the more reactive metal.

In a metal displacement reaction, what happens to the more reactive metal atoms and the less reactive metal ions?

The more reactive metal atoms lose electrons and form positive ions. The less reactive metal ions gain these electrons and turn into neutral metal atoms.

Why must the less reactive metal usually be in solution as a metal salt for a displacement reaction to happen?

Because only metal ions in solution can be displaced. Solid metal atoms cannot easily swap places with another metal.

In the reaction magnesium + copper sulfate -> magnesium sulfate + copper, which substance is oxidised and which is reduced?

Magnesium is oxidised because it loses electrons to form Mg2+ ions. Copper ions (Cu2+) are reduced because they gain electrons to form copper atoms.

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