This memory aid covers Memory Aids within Displacement Reactions for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Displacement Reactions in Chemical Changes for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 9 of 13 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 13
Practice
22 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.
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Displacement Reactions. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Displacement Reactions
Which statement correctly describes a displacement reaction?
In the reaction between zinc and copper sulfate solution, explain which species is oxidised and which is reduced. Include half equations in your answer. [3 marks]
Quick Recall Flashcards
22 questions on Displacement Reactions — practise free
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