A more reactive metal takes the place
A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound. Zinc displaces copper from copper sulfate: zinc + copper sulfate → zinc sulfate + copper.
Lesson 4.3 · AQA Combined Science
Displacement reactions
Predict before you react
Compare the added metal with the metal in the compound. If the added metal is higher, displacement happens. If it is lower, there is no reaction. Copper cannot displace zinc from zinc sulfate.
Use observations as evidence
A copper coating forms on zinc and the blue copper sulfate solution fades as copper ions are removed. If A displaces B, then A is more reactive than B. Use several results together to build an order.
What does it look like in the lab?
Remember
A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a compound.
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