What primary factor determines whether one element can displace another from its compound?
Relative reactivity of the elements involved
A displacement reaction happens only when the free element holds on to the combining partner more strongly than the element already in the compound does — that is, when it is the more reactive of the two.
The reactivity series arranges elements in that order, and an element higher in the series turns out the one below it: zinc displaces copper from copper sulphate, while copper cannot displace zinc from zinc sulphate.
Atomic mass, physical state and how dilute the solution is affect the rate or the conditions, but none of them decides whether the displacement can occur at all.
Hence, the answer is Relative reactivity of the elements involved.
Similar Questions
A student tries to balance the equation Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2 and writes the following step:
Fe + H2O4 → Fe3O4 + H2
Which statement best explains why this step is INCORRECT?
What is formed when carbon burns in oxygen?
Identify the correct statement regarding the reaction of sodium carbonate and dilute HCl.
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Statement I: All metals in the reactivity series can displace hydrogen from dilute acids to form hydrogen gas.
Statement II: Metals below hydrogen in the reactivity series do not produce hydrogen gas with dilute acids.
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Important Questions from Chemical Reaction
- Which of the following is NOT an example of combination reaction?
- In a redox displacement reaction, if element X loses electrons and element Y gains electrons, then:
- What is the general name of the reaction between an acid and a base?
- When iron filings are mixed with sulfur powder and the mixture is heated, a black substance called iron sulfide is formed. Which statement best describes the changes involved?
- When an iron nail is dipped in copper sulphate solution, which of the following observations confirms that a displacement reaction has occurred?
