Question

What is the difference between displacement and double displacement reaction? Write equations for these reactions.

Answer 1

In a displacement reaction, a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound or salt solution.

For example: ${\text{CuSO}}_4\text{(aq)}+\text{Zn(s)}\to {\text{ZnSO}}_4\text{(aq)}+\text{Cu(s)}$

In a double displacement reaction, two compounds react by exchanging their ions to form new compounds. It is typically identified by the formation of a product that is a precipitate.

For example: ${\text{Na}}_2{\text{SO}}_4\text{(aq)}+{\text{BaCl}}_2\text{(aq)}\to {\text{BaSO}}_4\text{(s)}+2\text{NaCl(aq})$