Displacement sim
A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a solution of its salt: the less reactive metal coats the piece, and its coloured ions (blu
Displacement · covers the GCSE, IGCSE, O-Level topic
What the sim shows
A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a solution of its salt: the less reactive metal coats the piece, and its coloured ions (blue Cu²⁺, pale green Fe²⁺) fade from the drop. No reaction is a result too: it proves the metal is below. Each reaction is redox: the metal loses electrons and is oxidised, so it is the reducing agent; the other metal's ions gain them and are reduced. The sulfate ion is a spectator. The bigger the gap in the series, the faster the change; how fast is this figure's estimate. The clock runs 20 times faster than real time.
- Cu²⁺: blue, fades as copper is displaced
- Fe²⁺: pale green
Use it in your lessons
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