Duration: 40 - 80 min Birlik International School Grades: 9 Secondary level
Reactivity and
displacement
reactions
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Reactivity
Introduction to Reactivity
In chemistry, reactivity is a measure of how readily a substance undergoes a
chemical reaction. The reaction can involve the substance on its own or with
other atoms or compounds, generally accompanied by a release of energy.
• High reactivity - Fast or easy reaction (e.g., sodium exploding in water).
• Low reactivity - Slow or no reaction (e.g., gold does not rust or corrode
easily).
The most reactive elements and compounds may ignite spontaneously or
explosively. They generally burn in water as well as the oxygen in the air.
Reactivity is dependent upon temperature. Increasing temperature increases
the energy available for a chemical reaction, usually making it more likely.
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Reactivity
Reactivity Trend in the Periodic Table
For non-metals
• Reactivity rises as you move from left to right.
• Reactivity declines as you move down the group.
• The most reactive element is fluorine, the first
element in the halogen group.
For metals
• The most reactive metal is francium, the last alkali
metal.
• The least reactive elements are the noble gases.
• Metal can have multiple oxidation states and tend to
have intermediate reactivity. 3
Reactivity
Reactivity Series of Metals
Non-metals
1. Fluorine (F)
2. Oxygen (O)
3. Chlorine (Cl)
4. Bromine (Br)
5. Iodine (I)
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Reactivity
Displacement Reactions
A displacement reaction is a type of reaction in which part of one reactant is replaced by
another reactant. A displacement reaction is also known as a replacement reaction or a
metathesis reaction. There are two types of displacement reactions:
• Single Displacement Reactions
• Double Displacement Reactions
The four main types of chemical reactions are:
• Synthesis reactions;
• Decomposition reactions;
• Single-displacement reactions;*
• Double-displacement reactions.*
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Displacement Reactions
Single Displacement Reactions
A single-displacement reaction is a chemical reaction where one reactant is exchanged
for one ion of a second reactant. It is also known as a single-replacement reaction. Single
displacement reactions take the form.
A more reactive metal can displace (kick out) a less reactive metal from its compound.
General Equation:
• More Reactive Metal + Less Reactive Metal Compound → New Metal + New
Compound
A + BC → B + AC
Example: Zn (s)+CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq)+Cu (s) (Zinc displacing Copper)
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Displacement Reactions
yDouble Displacement Reactions
A double displacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which two reactants exchange
ions to form two new compounds. Double displacement reactions typically result in
precipitate formation.
Double displacement reactions occur most often between ionic compounds, although
technically the bonds formed between the chemical species may be ionic or covalent.
Acids or bases also participate in double displacement reactions. The bonds formed in
the product compounds are the same bond types seen in the reactant molecules.
Usually, water is the solvent for this reaction type.
Double displacement reactions take the form:
AB + CD → AD + CB 7
Displacement Reactions
yDouble Displacement Reactions
Key Takeaways: Double Displacement Reaction
• A double displacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which the reactant ions
exchange places to form new products.
• Double displacement reactions usually result in precipitate formation.
• The chemical bonds between the reactants may be covalent or ionic.
• A double displacement reaction is also called a double replacement reaction, or
double decomposition.
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Displacement Reactions
yDouble Displacement Reactions
Double Displacement Reaction Examples
The reaction between silver nitrate and sodium chloride is a double displacement
reaction. The silver trades its nitrite ion for the sodium's chloride ion, causing the sodium
to pick up the nitrate anion.
AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3
Here is another example:
BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2 NaCl(aq)