Single Displacement Reactions

Single Displacement
● A reaction by which one element replaces another
● You can figure out if an element will replace another by figuring out which element is more
reactive in the single displacement reaction
○ General equation: AB + C → AC + B

Activity Series - Metals

● Activity series: Elements arranged according to their reactivity in single displacement
○ An elements on the series will displace anything below itself on the series
○ The greater the distance between two elements on the activity series, the more likely
the displacement reaction will occur and the faster it will happen
■ Ex. Iron will displace nickel in a SD reaction, but very slowly
■ Ex. Lithium will displace lead very quickly
○ Hydrogen is highlighted on the activity series because it functions like a metal
○ Silver, platinum and gold are the least reactive on the activity series

Predicting Single Displacement Reactions

● Metal + aqueous ionic compounds
○ Does the reaction Mg(s) + CuSO4 (aq) happen?
○ Check activity series: Mg is higher than Cu, so the reaction will happen
○ Products are solid metal and an aqueous ionic compound
● Metal + water
○ Think of H2O as H+OH-
○ Only lithium to sodium reacts with water
○ Products are always a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas
● Metal + Acid
○ Imagine acids as ionic compounds H+Cl-
○ Products are always hydrogen gas (g) + ionic compound (aq)

Activity Series - Halogens

● Fluorine is most reactive, iodine is the least reactive
○ Can be found in descending reactivity on the periodic table as you go down