This memory aid covers Memory Aids 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 9 of 12 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
Topic position
Section 9 of 12
Practice
20 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
🧠 Memory Aids
The displacement rule: "More reactive metal KICKS OUT less reactive." Think of a school queue: the bigger (more reactive) student always gets to the front.
OIL RIG: The most famous chemistry mnemonic — write it on the top of your exam paper as soon as you turn it over. Oxidation Is Loss. Reduction Is Gain. The metal going IN (displacing) is oxidised; the metal coming OUT is reduced.
Colour change memory: "CuSO₄ is BLUE, Cu metal is BROWN." Blue disappears, brown appears — a clear sign displacement has occurred. Iron(III) compounds are orange/rust coloured; iron(II) is pale green.
Spectator ion tip: Spectators WATCH but don't PLAY. They appear in the same form on both sides of the equation. Cancel them out to get the ionic equation.