Question

What is the displacement reaction?
(A) A metal replaces non-metal
(B) More reactive element displaces a less reactive element
(C) Both A and B
(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Try to find the meaning of the word displacement and connect it with the options provided. You will get an idea about the correct answer.

Complete step by step answer:
> Displacement reaction - A displacement reaction is the one wherein the atom or a set of atoms is displaced by another atom in a molecule. For instance, when Iron is added to a copper sulphate solution, it displaces the copper metal.
$Zn\quad +\quad {CuS}{O_4}\quad \rightarrow\quad{ZnS}{O_4}\quad +\quad Cu$
> We should know that the chemical reactivity of metals is linked with their relative positions in the activity series.
> Certain metals have the capacity to displace some metals from the aqueous solutions of their salts.A metal placed higher in the activity series can displace the metal that occupies a lower position from the aqueous solution of its salt.
> A metal can substitute metal as well as nonmetal from compound. Therefore that we can sayonly a more reactive element in the compound with which it reacts can replace the other element.Hence we can say that, 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.
Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Note: The displacement reaction is not limited to metals only. Even non-metals can take part in these reactions.
Example: The order of reactivity halogen is F > Cl > Br > I.