A displacement reaction occurs when a more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive element in a compound.

A compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal.

Formed when a substance is dissolved in water.

Shows metals placed in order of reactivity with the most reactive metal at the top.

A rock that contains metals or metal compounds. Metal can be extracted from its ore.

Chemical reactions: displacement of metals

Science

In the Using Earth's Resources unit, pupils will build on their knowledge of materials to explore the extraction and purification of metals, life cycle assessments, and recycling.

In the Acids and Bases unit, pupils learned about the properties of acids, bases, alkalis, and the neutralisation reaction.

Materials

aluminium + tin chloride →  aluminium chloride + tin

magnesium + hydrochloric acid →  magnesium chloride + hydrogen

metal A + salt of metal B  →  metal B + salt of metal A

Which of the following statements are correct representations of displacement reactions?

What might you observe if a displacement reaction is taking place?

aluminium is not a metal, and iron oxide is not a salt

it does not show that aluminium is more reactive than iron

it is not done in aqueous solution but as solids

Consider the thermite reaction: aluminium + iron oxide → iron + aluminium oxide.
What makes this reaction different from displacement reactions performed to confirm the reactivity series in a lab?

as a reference point for extracting metals from their ores

as a reference point for metals which react with acid

as a reference point for metals which react with oxygen

as a reference point for metals which react with water

Why is carbon included in the reactivity series of metals?

as a reference point for extraction with carbon or electrolysis

as a reference point for metals found in their native states

Why is hydrogen included in the reactivity series of metals?

formed when a substance is dissolved in water

a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element in a compound

a compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal

a rock that contains metals or metal compounds which can be extracted

metals placed in order of reactivity; most reactive metal at the top

Match each term to the correct definition.

The order of metals on the basis of how reactive they are, is called the {{}} of metals. Carbon and hydrogen are often included as reference points.

Not all metals react with an acid. For those that do, what would you observe?

they all need to be extracted by electrolysis

Which of these statements about the metal elements **above carbon** in the reactivity series are correct?

they can all be extracted by displacement with carbon

Which of these statements about the metal elements **above hydrogen** in the reactivity series are correct?

Starting with the least reactive, put these metals in order of reactivity.

it is a good thermal and electrical conductor

it is found on the left side of the periodic table

Graphite (a specific form of carbon) is a non-metal. Why is it unique?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Chemical reactions: displacement of metals

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.