Displacement reactions involving metal oxides
3 marks · NormalA student claims that aluminium can displace zinc from zinc oxide, but not iron from iron(III) oxide. Explain, based on the reactivity series, whether the student's claim is correct.
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Must show: Statement about position of aluminium to zinc and iron, Conclusion about which reactions are possible
Also accept: Aluminium above both zinc and iron, so both can be displaced.; Aluminium is above zinc and iron so can displace both, not just zinc.
Common mistakes: Confusing relative positions in series
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Marking points
M1 · 1 mark · States the correct position of aluminium in the reactivity series (above both zinc and iron).
M2 · 1 mark · States that aluminium can displace both zinc and iron from their oxides.
A1 · 1 mark · Provides a valid explanation that the claim is incorrect, relating it clearly to the series.
Worked solution
Aluminium is above both zinc and iron in the reactivity series.
This means aluminium can displace both zinc from zinc oxide and iron from iron(III) oxide.
Therefore, the student's claim is incorrect because aluminium would be able to displace iron as well as zinc.