Displacement Reactions

By how easily they lose electrons. - The more readily a metal atom loses a valence electron, the more reactive it is.

P S C M A Z I N T L H C S G potassium sodium calcium magnesium aluminium zinc iron nickel tin lead hydrogen copper silver gold

A displacement reaction occurs when a solid metal is placed in a solution of ions of a different metal. The solid metal can displace the metal in solution if it is more reactive.

Displacement reactions will only occur if the solid metal is more reactive than the metal in solution. If the solid metal is less reactive then no reaction will occur.

Because zinc is more reactive than copper, a displacement reaction will occur; zinc + copper sulphate = zinc sulphate + copper

Because copper is less reactive than iron, no reaction will occur; copper + iron chloride = no reaction

Reactive metals found as compounds

Extraction is the process of removing the metal from its ore, by giving electrons to a metal ion to return it to its solid form The more reactive a metal, the harder it is to extract it from its ore.

The least reactive metals and therefore can exist in their solid and pure form in nature - found at the bottom of the activity series

Metals which are below carbon on the activity series

The carbon removes the oxygen from the metal ore, forming carbon dioxide and the pure form of the metal.

Metals which are above carbon on the activity series

An electrical current is passed through a molten form of the ore, resulting in the extraction of the pure form of the metal - expensive process