Metal Displacement Reactions & Redox (Edexcel GCSE Chemistry)

Displacement Reactions & Redox

• Using the principles of electron loss and gain it is possible to identify which species undergo oxidation and reduction in metal displacement reactions

• We have seen previously that the more reactive metals displace the less reactive metals, but how does this relate to redox?

• Remember that:

  • Oxidation is the loss of electrons

  • Reduction is the gain of electrons

• By identifying what has happened to the electrons in displacement reaction we can deduce the redox changes taking place

• Using the reaction between zinc and copper(II) sulfate as an example:

  • Zinc displaces copper from a solution of copper(II) sulfate

  • Using ionic equations, determine which species undergoes oxidation and which species undergoes reduction:

Deducing Redox Change in Displacement Reactions