1. Displacement reactions
Aiming for 4: Recall a definition of a displacement reaction. Use the reactivity series to determine whether a reaction between a metal and a different metal salt will occur. Safely make and record observations.
Aiming for 6: Word equations and straightforward balanced symbol equations for displacement reactions. Predict observations for the metals listed in the reactivity series reacting with a different metal salt.
Aiming for 8: Describe displacement reactions using an ionic equation. Write balanced symbol equations, with state symbols, for displacement reactions. Determine and explain which species is oxidised and which species (metal atom or ion) is reduced in a displacement reaction in terms of electron transfer.

2. Definitions
A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from an aqueous solution of one of its salts
Oxidation is Gain of oxygen
Reduction is Loss of oxygen
OIL RIG
Oxidation is Loss of electrons
Reduction is Gain of electrons

3. Ionic Equations
An ionic equation shows only the atoms and ions that change in a reaction.
E.g.
Magnesium + copper sulphate  magnesium sulphate + copper
Mg (s) CuSO4(aq)  MgSO4(aq) Cu(s)
Mg (s) + [Cu2+ + SO42-](aq)  [Mg2+ + SO42-](aq) + Cu(s)
Mg(s) Cu2+ (aq)  Mg2+(aq) Cu(s)
In this reaction, the sulphate ions, SO42-(aq), remain the same, so do not appear in the ionic equation.
Write word, balanced symbol and ionic equations with state symbols for the demonstration.

4. Predicting reactions
Put 3 drops of each solution into four separate dimples of the spotting tile.
Put 1 single grain of magnesium into each dimple.
Record your observations in a table
Repeat using copper, zinc and iron.

5. X Y Magnesium sulphate Copper sulphate Zinc Sulphate Iron Sulphate
Magnesium sulphate
Copper sulphate
Zinc Sulphate
Iron Sulphate
Magnesium X Y
Copper
Zinc
Iron

6. Magnesium sulphate
Copper sulphate
Zinc Sulphate
Iron Sulphate
Magnesium
Predict =
Copper
Zinc
Iron

7. Magnesium + copper sulphate  magnesium sulphate + copper
Mg (s) CuSO4(aq)  MgSO4(aq) Cu(s)
Mg (s) + [Cu2+ + SO42-](aq)  [Mg2+ + SO42-](aq) + Cu(s)
Mg(s) Cu2+ (aq)  Mg2+(aq) Cu(s)
Magnesium + Zinc sulphate  Magnesium sulphate + Zinc
Mg (s) ZnSO4(aq)  MgSO4(aq) Zn(s)
Mg (s) + [Zn2+ + SO42-](aq)  [Mg2+ + SO42-](aq) + Zn(s)
Mg(s) Zn2+ (aq)  Mg2+(aq) Zn (s)
Magnesium + Iron sulphate  Magnesium sulphate Iron
Mg (s) FeSO4(aq)  MgSO4(aq) Fe(s)
Mg (s) + [Fe2+ + SO42-](aq)  [Mg2+ + SO42-](aq) + Fe(s)
Mg(s) Fe2+ (aq)  Mg2+(aq) Fe(s)

8. Zinc + Copper sulphate  Zinc sulphate + Copper
Zn (s) CuSO4(aq)  ZnSO4(aq) Cu(s)
Zn (s) + [Cu2+ + SO42-](aq)  [Zn2+ + SO42-](aq) + Cu(s)
Zn(s) Cu2+ (aq)  Zn2+(aq) Cu(s)
Zinc Iron sulphate  Zinc sulphate Iron
Zn (s) FeSO4(aq)  ZnSO4(aq) Fe(s)
Zn (s) + [Fe2+ + SO42-](aq)  [Zn2+ + SO42-](aq) + Fe(s)
Zn(s) Fe2+ (aq)  Zn2+(aq) Fe(s)
Iron Copper sulphate  Iron sulphate Copper
Fe (s) CuSO4(aq)  FeSO4(aq) Cu(s)
Fe (s) + [Cu2+ + SO42-](aq)  [Fe2+ + SO42-](aq) + Cu(s)
Fe (s) Cu2+ (aq)  Fe2+(aq) Cu(s)