Chemical reactions: displacement of metals

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