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Chemical reactions: displacement of metals

I can explain what happens when one metal displaces another metal from a salt, in solution as well as how carbon can be used to extract metals from ores.

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Share activities with pupils
New
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Chemical reactions: displacement of metals

I can explain what happens when one metal displaces another metal from a salt, in solution as well as how carbon can be used to extract metals from ores.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A more reactive metal will displace another that is less reactive from its salt, in solution.
  2. In a displacement reaction magnesium displaces copper from copper sulfate(aq) to form magnesium sulfate (aq) and copper.
  3. Displacement reactions can be used to confirm the position of a metal in the reactivity series for metals.
  4. A metal ore is typically rock that contains a metal in a form that can be extracted.
  5. Carbon can be used to extract some metals from their ores when carbon is more reactive.

Keywords

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

  • Metal salt - A compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal.

  • Aqueous solution (aq) - Formed when a substance is dissolved in water.

  • Reactivity series - Shows metals placed in order of reactivity with the most reactive metal at the top.

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

Common misconception

Understanding displacement reactions can be challenging as many pupils think the product has moved from somewhere else rather than being produced during the chemical reaction.

Focus on explaining the macroscopic observations in a displacement reaction in terms of chemical change. Then move on to apply the ideas to the reactivity of the metal.

Carry out the displacement reactions as a class experiment so that pupils gain first-hand experience of making careful observations and interrupting their own results.
Teacher tip

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
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.
Correct Answer: reactivity series
Q2.
Not all metals react with an acid. For those that do, what would you observe?
Correct answer: corrosion takes place
Correct answer: effervescence is observed
it all becomes water
Correct answer: the reaction is exothermic
Q3.
Which of these statements about the metal elements above carbon in the reactivity series are correct?
Correct answer: they all need to be extracted by electrolysis
Correct answer: they all react readily with acids
Correct answer: they all react readily with oxygen
they all react readily with cold water
they are all very unreactive
Q4.
Which of these statements about the metal elements above hydrogen in the reactivity series are correct?
Correct answer: they all react readily with acids
Correct answer: they all react readily with oxygen
they all react readily with water
they are all very unreactive
they can all be extracted by displacement with carbon
Q5.
Starting with the least reactive, put these metals in order of reactivity.
1 - gold
2 - copper
3 - lead
4 - zinc
5 - aluminium
6 - calcium
7 - potassium
Q6.
Graphite (a specific form of carbon) is a non-metal. Why is it unique?
Correct answer: it is a good thermal and electrical conductor
it is found on the left side of the periodic table
it is shiny and ductile
it is sonorous

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following statements are correct representations of displacement reactions?
Correct answer: aluminium + tin chloride → aluminium chloride + tin
lead + sodium chloride → no reaction
magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
Correct answer: metal A + salt of metal B → metal B + salt of metal A
metal + acid → metal salt + hydrogen
Q2.
What might you observe if a displacement reaction is taking place?
Correct answer: a change in temperature
Correct answer: colour changes to the solid metal
Correct answer: colour changes to the solution
Correct answer: effervescence (fizzing)
nothing left at the end
Q3.
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?
aluminium is not a metal, and iron oxide is not a salt
it does not show that aluminium is more reactive than iron
Correct answer: it is not done in aqueous solution but as solids
it is not exothermic
Q4.
Why is carbon included in the reactivity series of metals?
Correct answer: 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
Q5.
Why is hydrogen 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
Correct answer: as a reference point for metals which react with acid
as a reference point for metals which react with oxygen
Q6.
Match each term to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:aqueous solution (aq),formed when a substance is dissolved in water

formed when a substance is dissolved in water

Correct Answer:displacement reaction,a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element in a compound

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

Correct Answer:metal salt,a compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal

a compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal

Correct Answer:ore,a rock that contains metals or metal compounds which can be extracted

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

Correct Answer:reactivity series,metals placed in order of reactivity; most reactive metal at the top

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

Lesson appears in

UnitScience / Materials

Science

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