Metal displacement

This lesson starts by looking at a model for the reaction between magnesium and copper(II) sulfate to illustrate what is meant by displacement. The model involves dogs with different levels of aggression to represent the different metals. Students then carry out displacement reactions to put magnesium, iron, zinc and copper in order of reactivity by recording their observations. After the practical students write word and balanced symbol equations for the reactions that occurred as well as further using the model to represent the reactions. Students are then given a reactivity series which they use to work if other reactions will occur and to write equations for those that do.