Displacement Reactions

Part of the Oxidation and Reduction section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 17 of 27.

A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its compound.

A blue copper(II) sulfate solution, and the same beaker later, colorless, after zinc powder was stirred in

Zinc displaces copper: the blue color fades and copper settles out

Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu. Without the spectator sulfate: Zn + Cu²⁺ → Zn²⁺ + Cu.

Copper in zinc sulfate does nothing: a metal never displaces one above it.

Challenge

Zinc powder is stirred into blue copper(II) sulfate. The blue fades and reddish copper settles: Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu. Name the element oxidized and the element reduced, and choose the oxidizing agent.

Try it yourself

Oxidation numbersFollow the electrons

ZnCuSO₄ZnSO₄Cu

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Oxidation and Reduction

1Electron Transfer

What Is Oxidation Oxidation Numbers Rules for Oxidation Numbers Oxidation Numbers in Ions Recap - Number Painter

4Metals and Reactivity

The Reactivity SeriesDisplacement ReactionsMetals and Acids Corrosion and Rust Recap - Metal Contest

2Redox Reactions

Spotting Redox Oxidizing Agents Reducing Agents Electrons Passed Recap - Who Gave Electrons

5Electrochemistry

Electrolysis Electrolysis of Melts Cells and Batteries Recap - Smelter

3Half-Equations

Writing Half-Equations Balancing with Electrons Half-Equations in Acid Combining Half-Equations Recap - Permanganate

6Practice Problems

Recap - Bleach and Iodide Recap - Copper and Silver Recap - Bromine Redox