Question

What type of reaction is represented by each of the following equation?

${\mathrm{Cl}}_2+2\mathrm{KI}\to 2\mathrm{KCl}+{\mathrm{I}}_2$

Answer 1

Displacement Reaction

When one set of atoms present in a compound undergoes replacement by another new set of atoms to form products, these types of reactions are called displacement reactions.

In the given reaction, Iodine from Potassium iodide $\left(\mathrm{KI}\right)$ is displaced by Chlorine $\left({\mathrm{CI}}_2\right)$. This reaction involves the displacement of an element (Iodine) that is less reactive from its respective compound by a higher reactive element (Chlorine). Hence, this reaction is classified as a displacement reaction.

Example of displacement reaction

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{CuCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{s}\right) \\ \mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{Copper}\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{chloride}\mathrm{Copper} \\ \mathrm{chloride} \end{gathered}$$

In this reaction, Chlorine is displaced by the Zinc in order to form Zinc chloride, and Copper is separated from Copper chloride. Thus, the type of reaction is a displacement reaction.