Asked by adrian

what reaction occurs when one element replaces another element in a compound.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
That is called a single-displacement (or single-replacement) reaction.

General form:
A + BC → AC + B
(or A + BC → BA + C, depending on which atom is displaced)

Examples:
- Metal displacing metal: Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu
- Halogen displacing halogen: Cl2 + 2KBr → 2KCl + Br2

Key points:
- The free element must be more reactive than the element it replaces (use the metal activity series or halogen reactivity series to predict whether displacement will occur).
- Single-displacement reactions are redox reactions: the displacing element is oxidized and the displaced element is reduced.
- If the free element is less reactive, no reaction occurs (e.g., Cu + ZnSO4 → no reaction).