Question

Give reason for the following.
Copper cannot displace zinc from its salt solution.

Answer 1

A metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt in an aqueous solution. But zinc is more reactive than copper. Therefore, copper cannot displace zinc from its salt solution.
$C{u}_{\left(s\right)}+ZnS{O}_{4\left(aq\right)}\to$ No reaction

• Concept insight: in a displacement reaction more reactive element displaces less reactive element.