SINGLE

DISPLACEMENT
REACTION
WHAT IS A SINGLE-DISPLACEMENT REACTION?
A single-displacement reaction, also known as a single-replacement
reaction, is a type of chemical reaction where an element reacts with a
compound and takes the place of another element in that compound.

Here, A replaces B in the compound BC. But how do we know which atoms or
ions can replace each other? Let's discuss this in the following section.
 ACTIVITY SERIES OF METAL AND NONMETALS
Usually replace something if the replacement is better or will suit our
purposes better. The replacement is usually similar to the original
object. In the same way, for a single-displacement reaction, an element
can only be replaced if the element taking its place is more reactive. For
single-displacement reactions, a metal replaces a metal, and a
nonmetal replaces a nonmetal. In the periodic table, we can see where
the metals and nonmetals are located. The metals are located on the
left side of the stairs and the nonmetals are located on the right side of
the stairs.
This activity series tells us the reactivity of a metal and non-metal. A more
reactive metal replaces a less reactive metal. A more reactive nonmetal
replaces a less reactive nonmetal.

If we look at the activity series of metals, we see that H is included, even though H is
not a metal. This is because, for single-displacement reactions, H usually behaves
like a metal in chemical reactions. In the activity series of metals, we can say that Li
can replace K in a single-displacement reaction because Li is more reactive than K.
The same can be said for nonmetals: F can replace Br in a single-displacement
reaction because F is more reactive than Br. Br has relatively the same reactivity as
O.
EXAMPLE:
 In the example in the previous slide, the
reaction, Cu replaces Ag because Cu is more
reactive than Ag.

It is always important to predict the products

of the chemical reaction correctly and make
sure that the final chemical equation is
balanced. In this reaction, it shows how we
balanced the chemical equation. We put a
coefficient 2 in front of AgNO3 and Ag to
balance the number of Ag atoms and NO3
atoms on both sides.
EXAMPLE
Now, in this second example, the chemical
reaction, a more reactive nonmetal replaces a
less reactive nonmetal. In this case, Cl
replaces Br because Cl is a more reactive
nonmetal.

We need to take note that when Cl replaces

Br, Br has a subscript of 2 in the products
side. This is because Cl and Br are both in the
same group in the periodic table, so we know
they behave similarly.
HOW TO COMPLETE A SINGLE
DISPLACEMENT REACTION?
To complete a single-displacement reaction, we have to go
through a few steps to make sure that our products and our
final reaction are correct.

Step one: Determine if the reaction will occur.

The reaction will only proceed if the element that
replaces the original element is more reactive. For
this reaction, the question is, can Zn replace H? We
need to refer to the activity series. This tells us that
Zn can replace H, so this reaction will occur.