Question

Zinc will displace copper from a solution of copper sulfate, and magnesium will displace zinc from a solution of zinc sulfate. Why can these displacement reactions be regarded as redox reactions? Write down a series of reactivity for these three metals, putting them in order of increasing reactivity.

Answer 1

The displacement reactions are regarded as redox reactions because they involve the formal transfer of electrons from one chemical specie to the other

2) The series of reactivity of the metals in the order of increasing reactivity are;

• Copper

↓

• Zinc

↓

• Magnesium

Step-by-step explanation:

1) Redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction is a chemical reaction involving the loss and gain of electrons from one chemical species to another, where the chemical species that undergoes oxidation, loses electrons and is termed the reducing agent, while the other chemical species that undergoes reduction, gains electrons, and is termed the oxidizing agent

2) The redox reaction can being based on the affinity for electrons depends on the positions of the reactants in the electrochemical series as well as the chemical reactivity of the metals with zinc being a stronger reducing agent and more chemically reactive than copper and magnesium being a stronger reducing agent and more chemically reactive than zinc

Least reactive (Cu) < (Zn) < Mg Most reactive

Copper < Zinc < Magnesium.