Zinc and lead are more reactive than copper, according to the reactivity series. This means they have a greater tendency to form compounds, thus displacing copper from its compounds in reactions.
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Zinc and lead can displace copper from its compounds due to their higher reactivity in the metal reactivity series. The reactivity series is a ranking of metals based on their ability to displace each other in reactions. Zinc and lead, being higher in the reactivity series than copper, can readily donate electrons to copper ions in copper compounds. This electron transfer results in the displacement of copper from its compound, leading to the formation of zinc or lead compounds and free copper. The displacement occurs because metals higher in the reactivity series have a greater tendency to lose electrons and undergo oxidation.