In a displacement reaction, a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element in a compound.

• A. Combination reaction
• B. Neutralization reaction
• C. Displacement reaction
• D. Decomposition

Answer: (C)

Displacement is shown when a more reactive element can take the place of a less reactive element in a compound. The more reactive metal has a greater tendency to lose electrons, so it can push the less reactive metal out of its compound and pair with the remaining ions. A common example is zinc reacting with copper sulfate to give zinc sulfate and copper metal: Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu. This demonstrates the idea that a stronger metal can replace a weaker one in a compound, releasing the less reactive element as a solid. Other reaction types don’t involve swapping elements inside a compound: a combination reaction builds a single product from two substances, neutralization is an acid–base reaction producing a salt and water, and decomposition is a compound breaking down into simpler substances.