The reactivity of metals can be determined using displacement reactions.
In a displacement reaction a more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from its compound.
For example, magnesium is a more reactive metal than copper, so can displace copper(II) ions from copper(II) sulfate:
magnesium + copper(II) sulfate → magnesium sulfate + copper
Essentially, the magnesium and copper ‘swap’ places.
In this experiment we will determine the relative reactivity of 4 metals: copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium.
In order to determine the relative reactivity of each metal we will carry out displacement reactions by reacting each metal with a solution of every other metal An atom or molecule that has either a positive or negative electrical charge..
If the metal is more reactive than the metal in a solution (present as an ion), then a displacement reaction will occur and we will observe a change in the reaction.
