A metal “A” reacts with a metallic chloride of “B” to give metal “B”. But metallic chloride of “A” cannot give metal “A” on reaction with metal “B”. What conclusion can you draw from this?
Displacement reaction: It is the type of reaction in which a more reactive element displaces the less reactive element from its compound.
Reactivity series: It is the series in which the elements are arranged in decreasing order of their reactivity. A more reactive element will displace the less reactive element from its compound.
Example: Zinc (Zn) can displace Copper (Cu) from copper sulphate (Cu(SO)4) in displacement reaction but vice versa is not possible.
In the given question, a metal “A” reacts with a metallic chloride of “B” to give metal “B” means metal “A” is more reactive than metal “B”.
Therefore, metal “A” can displace metal “B” from its chloride.
But metallic chloride of “A” cannot give metal “A” on reaction with metal “B” because metal “A” is more reactive than metal “B” and therefore, displacement reaction is not possible.
Therefore, a more reactive metal will displace the less reactive metal but vice versa is not possible.