Question

Zinc metal displaces oxygen from zinc(ii)oxide however it is unable to displace oxygen from magnesium oxide.Explain

Answer 1

1) Zinc metal displaces oxygen from zinc(ii)oxide:

Zn + ZnO = ZnO + Zn

This reaction does not make sense.

2)  It is unable to displace oxygen from magnesium oxide:

That is because Mg is less electronegative than Zn.