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Question: "Explain why iron can displace copper from copper sulfate solution." (4 marks)
Iron is more reactive than copper [1], so it has a greater tendency to lose electrons. Iron atoms lose electrons more readily than copper ions can hold them. [1] Iron is therefore oxidised — each iron atom loses two electrons to become an Fe²⁺ ion: Fe → Fe²⁺ + 2e⁻. [1] The copper ions in solution gain those electrons and are reduced, forming solid copper metal: Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu. [1]
Examiner note: All four mark points must be present: iron is more reactive, iron loses electrons more readily, iron is oxidised (with half equation), copper ions are reduced (with half equation). The word "displaced" alone is not sufficient without explaining the electron transfer. The sulfate ion is a spectator ion and does not need to be mentioned.
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