DISPLACEMENT

REACTIONS
 DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
 A less reactive element in a compound. For e.g. Compared to potassium, lithium is less reactive
with water to give metal hydroxide. Potassium displaces (replaces) hydrogen to give an alkali
potassium hydroxide.
 The word ‘displaced’ is preferred compared to replace though it means the same.
 Reactions involving iron and copper given below is an example of displacement reactions.
 You will need: copper sulphate, a clean nail, test-tube.

Word equation: iron + copper sulphate  iron sulphate + copper

Symbol equation: Fe + CuSO4  FeSO4 + Cu

 DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
 Displacement of hydrogen by magnesium

 Magnesium slowly displaces hydrogen in water molecules to give magnesium

hydroxide.
 This displacement is seen with the indicator phenolphthalein (from colourless to pink).
(See image)

 Word equation: magnesium + water  magnesium hydroxide + hydrogen

 Symbol equation: Mg + 2H2O  Mg(OH)2 + H2


REACTIVITY SERIES OF METALS
Scientists have arranged metals based on the how reactive a metal is in the form of a series.
REACTIVITY SERIES OF METALS
 REACTION OF METALS WITH ACIDS
 When a metal reacts with an acid, they displace hydrogen from the acid and form a salt solution.
 DISPLACEMENT OF METALS
 A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal
 Eg.1: Copper in silver sulphate gives copper sulphate and silver is deposited
 Word equation: copper + silver sulphate  copper sulphate + silver

 Symbol equation: Cu + AgSO4  CuSO4 + Ag

 Eg.2: Iron nail in copper sulphate gives copper sulphate and silver is deposited on the nail.
 Word equation: iron + copper sulphate  iron sulphate + copper

 Symbol equation: Fe + CuSO4  FeSO4 + Cu

BALANCING EQUATIONS
BALANCING EQUATIONS
 DISPLACEMENT IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE
 To repair the joints in railway tracks, a powder of aluminium and iron oxide is added.
 Here, aluminium displaces iron, and the melted iron joins the melted iron tracks.
 SUMMARY
1. In a displacement reaction, a less reactive element is replaced by a more reactive element.
2. Word and symbol equations can be used to show displacement reactions.
3. Magnesium displaces hydrogen in water molecules to form magnesium hydroxide.
4. The reactivity series of metals can be used to predict which displacement reactions will
occur.
5. Reaction of metals can be summarized by the word equation:
metal + acid  metal salt + hydrogen