Displacement of metals
from solution is a redox reaction whereby a less reactive
metal ion is displaced from its salt solution by a
more reactive metal. As a result, the less reactive
metal ion is deposited as a solid metal while the
more reactive metal dissolves in the solution.
The general formula
for a displacement reaction is
M (s) + Xn+
(aq) -----> Mn+
(aq) + X (s)
where metal M is the more reactive
than metal X.
The reactivity series of metals
is very important in order to understand displacement
reactions.
