Displacement reactions involving metal oxides
3 marks · EasyState what is meant by a displacement reaction between metals and metal oxides.
Magnesium reacts with zinc oxide when heated. Name the metal that is displaced, and explain why this happens.
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(a) A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its oxide.
(b) Zinc is displaced. Magnesium is more reactive than zinc, so it takes the oxygen from zinc oxide.
Common mistakes: Naming the wrong displaced metal; Mixing up the reactivity order
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Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · States that a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its oxide
B2 (b) · 1 mark · Names zinc as the displaced metal
B3 (b) · 1 mark · Explains magnesium is more reactive than zinc / takes oxygen from zinc oxide
Worked solution
(a) In a displacement reaction, a more reactive metal replaces a less reactive metal from its compound (metal oxide).
(b) Zinc is the metal displaced. Magnesium is more reactive than zinc, so magnesium removes oxygen from zinc oxide and forms magnesium oxide, leaving zinc.