how can the position of carbon in the reactivity series of metals determine the method of extraction of metals from their ores or metallic compounds?

chemical changes occur when a substance combines with another to form a new substance, called chemical synthesis or, alternatively, chemical decomposition into two or more different substances. these processes are called chemical reactions and, in general, are not reversible except by further chemical reactions. some reactions produce heat and are called exothermic reactions and others may require heat to enable the reaction to occur, which are called endothermic reactions. understanding chemical changes is a major part of the science of chemistry.

alchemy hadn't scientific methods of study, appeal to mysticism and fantasy, the knowledge of chemistry and physics were modest at that time.

alchemy was - but as new rules were discovered it either changed into chemistry or it became "unscientific".