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The reactivity series and displacement
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Metals can be ranked by how readily they react. A more reactive metal pushes a less reactive one out of its compounds.
The series
potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, (carbon), zinc, iron, (hydrogen), copper, silver, gold
More reactive metals lose electrons more easily to form positive ions.
More reactive metals lose electrons more easily to form positive ions.
Displacement
A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a solution of its salt.
magnesium + copper sulfate → magnesium sulfate + copper
Copper cannot displace magnesium.
magnesium + copper sulfate → magnesium sulfate + copper
Copper cannot displace magnesium.
Oxidation and reduction
Oxidation: gain of oxygen, or loss of electrons.
Reduction: loss of oxygen, or gain of electrons.
OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of electrons).
Reduction: loss of oxygen, or gain of electrons.
OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of electrons).
Will zinc react with copper sulfate solution?
- Zinc is more reactive than copper.
- So zinc displaces copper.
Answer: Yes: zinc sulfate and copper form.
More reactive metals displace less reactive ones from their compounds. Oxidation is loss of electrons (or gain of oxygen); reduction is gain of electrons (OIL RIG).
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