chemistry

• Displacement reactions


  A more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive metal element in a compound
• Displacement reaction


  • copper sulfate + iron → iron sulfate + copper
• Iron is more reactive than copper, therefore it displaces copper
• Metal reactivity


  Depends on how readily it forms anions by losing electrons
• In the displacement reaction of copper sulfate and iron, iron forms anions more easily than copper
• At the end of the reaction, you have iron ions, not copper ions
• Oxidation


  Loss of electrons
• Reduction


  Gain of electrons
• Copper sulfate + iron

  • Iron is oxidised
  • Copper is reduced
• In the reaction, iron has been oxidised and copper has been reduced