Question

Classify the following reaction as a combination, displacement, decomposition, or neutralisation reaction.

$\mathrm{Cu}+2{\mathrm{AgNO}}_3\to \mathrm{Cu}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2+2\mathrm{Ag}$

Answer 1

• The given reaction is a displacement reaction.
• Displacement reaction - A reaction in which a more active (reactive) element displaces a less active (reactive) element from its compound when reacted together is called a displacement reaction.
• Generally, a displacement reaction is represented as :

$\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{BC}\to \mathrm{AC}+\mathrm{B}$

• The principle of displacement reaction is based on the reactivity of metals and non-metals.
• The activity series of metals helps to predict which metals will replace other metals.
• In given reaction copper $\left(\mathrm{Cu}\right)$being more reactive, displaces silver from$\left(\mathrm{Ag}\right)$from silver nitrate$\left({\mathrm{AgNO}}_3\right)$.

$\underset{\underset{\mathrm{reddish}-\mathrm{brown}}{\mathrm{Copper}}}{\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\underset{\mathrm{colourless}}{\mathrm{Silver}\mathrm{nitrate}}}{2{\mathrm{AgNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{\underset{\mathrm{blue}}{\mathrm{Copper}\left(\mathrm{II}\right)\mathrm{nitrate}}}{\mathrm{Cu}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\underset{\mathrm{silvery}}{\mathrm{Silver}}}{2\mathrm{Ag}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)(\downarrow )}$

Therefore, the given reaction is a displacement reaction.