Question

A less reactive metal displaces a more reactive metal from its salt solution.
(a) True
(b) False

Answer 1

Hint: Solve this question by considering reactivity of the electrochemical series. This is about one metal replacing another, and hence is a displacement reaction.

Complete step by step answer:
“The reactivity series of metals, also known as the activity series, refers to the arrangement of metals in the descending order of their reactivities. The data provided by the reactivity series can be used to predict whether a metal can displace another in a single displacement reaction”.
In reactivity series, metals present on the top are highly reactive and can displace the metals at the bottom of the series. A metal that is placed higher in the activity series can displace the metal present at a lower position from the aqueous solution of its salt.
For example, Iron which is more reactive than copper displaces copper from copper sulphate solution to form iron sulphate solution.
\[2Fe+3CuS{{O}_{4}}\to Fe2{{(S{{O}_{4}})}_{3}}+3Cu\]
Hence, we can conclude that a less reactive metal cannot replace a more reactive metal from its salt solution in water.
Therefore, the answer is – option (b) – The given statement is false.

Additional Information:
The displacement reaction is not just limited to metals. Non-metals take part in these reactions as well.

Note: “Displacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound. Both metals and nonmetals take part in displacement reactions”.
For example: Reaction of iron nail with copper sulphate solution.