Question

when iron displaces copper in a displacement reaction, do iron and copper have same valency? what causes iron to be more reactive than copper such that it displaces copper from its salt solution?

Answer 1

The solution is as follows:

1. Iron being more reactive than copper displaces it from its salt solution.

2. Both iron and copper have +2 valency.

3. The electrical potential for oxidation is more for iron than copper, that is, iron is more active towards oxidation. Thus, it accounts for it's higher reactivity series.