MNEMONIC: Please Send Cat Money And Catch Zinc In Heated Coppers Safe Garden
Displacement reaction — a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from a compound.
E.g. Mg + CuSO₄ → MgSO₄ + Cu (Mg more reactive than Cu → displaces it).
If no reaction: the metal is less reactive than the metal in the compound.
Extraction of metals — fill in the table
Case
Detail
Metals below carbon
Metals above carbon (Na, Ca, Mg, Al)
Gold and silver
Iron extraction
Aluminium extraction
Exam questions — 4 questions · 13 marks
⚡ Extended questions included. Read the hint. Show all working. AI marks against the real AQA mark scheme.
1 markDisplacement reactionAQA 8462 P1 style
Iron filings are added to copper sulfate solution. What would you observe?
A No reaction — iron and copper are equally reactive
B The blue solution turns colourless and grey iron deposits form
C The blue solution fades and a pink/orange copper coating forms on the iron
D Hydrogen gas is produced
1 markExtraction methodAQA 8462 P1 style
Aluminium cannot be extracted using carbon reduction. Why?
A Aluminium does not form an oxide
B Aluminium is more reactive than carbon so carbon cannot reduce aluminium oxide
C Carbon reacts with aluminium to form aluminium carbide instead
D Aluminium oxide does not melt at high enough temperatures for the blast furnace
4 marksBlast furnace chemistryAQA 8462 P1 style
Describe how iron is extracted from iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) in the blast furnace. Write the equation for the reduction of iron oxide and explain what "reduction" means in this context. (4 marks)
Hint: Cover: materials added, carbon monoxide formed, CO reduces iron oxide (give equation), iron sinks. Define reduction (losing oxygen / gaining electrons).
+40 XP
2 marksReactivity predictionAQA 8462 P1 style
Predict whether zinc will react with silver nitrate solution. Explain your answer using the reactivity series. Write an equation if a reaction occurs. (2 marks)
Hint: Check reactivity series: Zn above Ag → Zn is more reactive → will displace Ag. Write the displacement equation.