# Zinc, copper and magnesium are all metals. A student places a piece of magnesium into copper sulfate solution and observes a reaction. Explain why this reaction occurs and predict what would happen if zinc were used instead of magnesium.

> AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.4.1 Reactivity of metals · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Magnesium is more reactive than copper
2. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound / magnesium displaces copper from copper sulfate
3. Zinc is less reactive than magnesium (but more reactive than copper), so zinc would also displace copper from copper sulfate
4. The reaction with zinc would be slower / less vigorous than with magnesium

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/zinc-copper-and-magnesium-are-all-a0216189) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.