Electron Transfer — What's Really Happening
Part of Displacement Reactions — GCSE Chemistry
This diagram covers Electron Transfer — What's Really Happening within Displacement Reactions for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Displacement Reactions in Chemical Changes for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 2 of 12 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.
Topic position
Section 2 of 12
Practice
20 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
🔬 Electron Transfer — What's Really Happening
Magnesium + Copper Sulfate → Magnesium Sulfate + Copper
OXIDATION (Loss of e⁻)
Mg → Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻
Magnesium LOSES 2 electrons
Oxidation number: 0 → +2
REDUCTION (Gain of e⁻)
Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu
Copper ion GAINS 2 electrons
Oxidation number: +2 → 0
Ionic equation: Mg + Cu²⁺ → Mg²⁺ + Cu
(SO₄²⁻ is a spectator ion — it doesn't change!)
Figure 1: Electron transfer in a displacement reaction