Analysis of Displacement Reactions

A metal displaces a less reactive metal from solutions of its compounds.

The results table below summarise the displacement reactions observed in the practical.

A tick indicates a reaction occurred and so a metal was displaced by a more reactive metal in the reaction.

Displacement reactions are an example of redox reactions. A redox reaction involves the transfer of
electrons between species.

In redox reactions the species that has been:

 oxidised loses electrons and so its oxidation state ………………………………..

 reduced gains electron and so its oxidation state …………………………………

How can we show that these displacement reactions are redox reactions? Let’s consider the first reaction:

magnesium + zinc sulphate  magnesium sulphate + zinc

Mg + ZnSO4  MgSO4 + Zn

oxidations states 0 +II -II +II -II 0

We can ignore the SO42- ions as they are not involved in the redox reaction. They are called spectator ions

species oxidised is …………………………

oxidation half equation:

species reduced ……………………………

reduction half equation:

redox equation :
Complete the following reactions to show the redox processes that occur

Question 1

Zinc + iron (II) sulphate 

Symbol equation:

oxidations states

species oxidised is …………………………

oxidation half equation:

species reduced ……………………………

reduction half equation:

redox equation :

Question 2

Iron + copper sulphate 

Symbol equation:

oxidations states

species oxidised is …………………………

oxidation half equation:

species reduced ……………………………

reduction half equation:

redox equation :
 Reactivity Series
By comparing displacement reactions like these between different combinations of metals and their ions, we
can build up a list metals in a final order, with the most reactive one first. The list is called the reactivity
series.

What does the reactivity series actually show us?

The more easily the metal atoms can give up electrons, the stronger it is as a reducing agent and the more
reactive the metal will be.

The reactivity series enables us to predict whether a particular redox reaction between a metal and the ions
of another metal will be feasible.
 More reactive non-metals are stronger oxidising agents

In a similar way, the different strengths of non-metals as oxidising agents can be compared.

For example, the halogens (Group 7 elements) react by gaining electrons and forming negative ions, and so
act as oxidising agents by removing electrons from other substances.

You have previously seen that the halogens become less reactive as you go down the group. This means that
they become weaker oxidising agents are you go down the

Again this can be verified by reacting one halogen with solutions containing the ions of another halogen
(known as halide ions).

For example:

Chlorine + potassium iodide  potassium chloride + iodine

Cl2 + 2KI → 2KCl + I2

Oxidation states

Here the K+ ions are spectator ions so we can write the half equations without showing them:

oxidation:

reduction:

redox equation:

The reaction occurs because chlorine is a stronger oxidising agent than iodine and so is able to remove
electrons from it.
Questions on Reactivity Series