Displacement
Displacement is when one metal of a higher reactivity removes the metal with the lower reactivity from its salt solution and takes its place.
e.g. zinc + copper sulphate --> copper + zinc sulphate On the right, you can see a reactivity series that represent metals. If a metal of a higher reactivity on this series swaps places with the solution with the lower reactivity, then we say that a displacement reaction has taken place. If a metal is of a lower reactivity that the solution present then no reaction takes place. |