Displacement reactions involving solutions of salts
2 marks · EasyIn a reaction between calcium metal and tin(II) sulfate solution, calcium displaces tin.
State which substance is the oxidising agent and which is the reducing agent, giving your answer in terms of electron transfer.
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Sn^{2+} is the oxidising agent (it gains electrons); Ca is the reducing agent (it loses electrons).
Also accept: Tin(II) ion gains electrons, so is the oxidising agent; calcium loses electrons and is the reducing agent.
Common mistakes: Reversing agents; Not referring to electron transfer
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · Correctly identifies oxidising agent as Sn^{2+} (tin(II) ion) and reducing agent as Ca.
B2 · 1 mark · Explains in terms of electron transfer: oxidising agent gains electrons, reducing agent loses electrons.
Worked solution
Sn^{2+} is the oxidising agent as it gains electrons. Ca is the reducing agent as it loses electrons in the reaction.