Yes, calcium can displace magnesium.
Calcium is indeed capable of displacing magnesium from a solution containing magnesium salts. This chemical reaction occurs because calcium is a more reactive metal than magnesium.
Understanding Metal Reactivity
Metals are often compared based on their chemical reactivity. A more reactive metal has a greater tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions compared to a less reactive metal. This concept is captured in what is known as the reactivity series (or electrochemical series).
In the reactivity series, metals are arranged in order of decreasing reactivity. A fundamental principle derived from this series is that a more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution.
Calcium vs. Magnesium: The Reactivity Series
Let's look at the relative positions of calcium and magnesium in the reactivity series:
| Metal | Reactivity |
|---|---|
| Calcium (Ca) | More Reactive |
| Magnesium (Mg) | Less Reactive |
As shown in the table, calcium is positioned higher in the reactivity series than magnesium. This means calcium is more reactive than magnesium.
The Displacement Reaction
Because calcium is more reactive, when it is placed in a solution containing magnesium ions (e.g., magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride solution), calcium atoms will lose electrons to become calcium ions, and magnesium ions will gain electrons to become magnesium atoms. The calcium effectively pushes the magnesium out of the solution.
According to the reference provided, yes, calcium can displace magnesium from a solution of magnesium salts. This is because calcium is more reactive than magnesium. In the reactivity series, a more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution. This statement directly confirms the principle and its application to calcium and magnesium.
The general form of the reaction can be represented as:
Ca (s) + MgSO₄ (aq) → CaSO₄ (aq) + Mg (s)
In this reaction:
- Calcium metal (Ca) reacts with magnesium sulfate solution (MgSO₄).
- Calcium displaces magnesium.
- Calcium sulfate solution (CaSO₄) is formed, and magnesium metal (Mg) is deposited or precipitated.
This displacement is a clear demonstration of the difference in reactivity between the two metals.
