Question

If you try to carry out a double displacement reaction by mixing together equal volumes of a solution that contains dissolved NaF and a solution that contains dissolved NaCl. Would you expect a reaction? Why or why not?

Answer 1

no reaction.
Rxn occur for only a few reasons.
1. A ppt is formed. none here.
2. A gas is formed. none here.
3. A weak electrolyte is formed. none here.
4. redox rxn. none here.

Answer 2

Dear, DrBob,
you mentioned 4 criteria for a chemical reaction it s absolutely wrong.
these are few parameters to check a reaction has done or not, but not a reasons for reaction.
NaF and NaCl do not react

Answer 3

The short answer is that I beg to differ with you but I thank you for your comments; however, if you will read the question again, along with my response, you will see I stated it will not react AND I stated WHY there is no reaction. I see we agree on that. But those four reasons I stated are exactly why no reaction occurs. Reactions occur because of the presence of some driving force and there is no driving force for a mixture of NaF and NaCl. The driving force occurs when one of those four driving forces is present. Yes, the formation of a ppt or a gas is a way of knowing a reaction has occurred and you may call those parameters; however, the ppt or gas is what makes the reaction proceed to completion (100%). In most cases 3 and 4 are often not visible and they may occur at less than 100%. In all four cases, however, what really matters is the change in Gibbs Free Energy. You can predict; however, in all four cases, delta G will be negative. I stand by my answer. If you care to respond to this please let me know your background in chemistry (years, degrees, etc). Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts.