Single and Double Displacement

Reactions
Refer to pages 162-178 in text

Single Displacement
Reactions

Single Displacement Reactions

A reaction in which one element takes the place
of another element in a compound
There are 3 subtypes of single displacement

Activity Series
Activity series are needed to
determine if single displacement
reactions will occur
These are rankings of the relative
reactivity of metals or halogens in
aqueous solutions
A reaction will take place if the
single element is higher in the
activity series (more reactive) than
the element in the compound it
will replace

Subtype 1: A metal displacing another

metal from an ionic compound

See table 4.1 on page 164 for the metal activity

series
Example:
Cu(s) +

AgNO3(aq)

Subtype 2: A non-metal displacing another

non-metal from an ionic compound
+
AB

+
D

AD

See table 4.2 on page 168 for the activity series

for halogens
Example:
Cl2(g) + NaBr(aq)

Subtype 3: A metal displacing hydrogen

from acid or water
i) Displacement from an acid:
Example:
Mg(s) + HCl(aq)

ii) Displacement from water

Only occurs with very active metals
Example:
Na(s)

H2O(l)

Double Displacement
Reactions

Double Displacement Reations

A reaction that involves the exchange of positive
ions between two compounds to form to new
compounds
There are 3 subtypes of double displacement

Subtype 1: A reaction that forms a

solid/precipitate
A precipitate is an
insoluble solid that is
formed by a chemical
reaction between two
soluble compounds

Subtype 1: A reaction that forms a

solid/precipitate
Solubility guidelines are used to determine if a
precipitate will form (see guidelines and table
4.3 on page 174)
Example:
MgCl2(aq) + KOH(aq) )

Deconstruct/Reconstruct
Break apart compound and switch the cations
MgCl2(aq) + KOH(aq)
Mg+2

Cl-

K+

OH-

Try the following example:

CuSO4(aq) + NaOH(aq)

Subtype 2: A reaction that forms a Gas

These double displacement reactions are two
reactions that occur very quickly in order
One product will quickly break down into water
and gas
The formation of gases carbon dioxide or
ammonia will occur depending on the reaction

Subtype 2: A reaction that forms a Gas

Formation of Carbon Dioxide:
Reaction between baking soda and vinegar:
CH3COOH(aq) + NaHCO3(s)

NaCH3COO(aq) + H2CO3(aq

Decomposition of carbonic acid:

H2CO3(aq)

 Overall Chemical Equation:

CH3COOH(aq) + NaHCO3(s)
H2O(l) + CO2(g)

NaCH3COO(aq) +

If NH4OH is a product of DD, it will also further

decompose into NH3 and H2O (see page 176)

Subtype 3: A reaction that forms water

Known as Neutralization!
Acid + Base
Salt + Water
Water forms from the hydrogen ions from the
acid and the hydroxide ions from the base
Example:
H2SO4(aq) + Ca(OH)2(aq)

Summarizing Double Displacement

Reactions
If one reactant

The other reactant

Then the
products include:

Is an aqueous salt

Is an aqueous salt

A precipitate

Is an acid

Has carbonate ions

Water and carbon

dioxide

Has ammonium
ions

Has hydroxide ions

Water and ammonia

Is an acid

Has hydroxide ions

Water

Questions?