Displacement Reaction in Chemistry

Displacement Reaction

A displacement reaction, also known as a single displacement reaction or substitution reaction, is a type of chemical reaction where an atom or a group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by another atom or group of atoms.

Characteristics:

• One element displaces another element from a compound
• The reactivity of the elements involved determines the outcome of the reaction
• The more reactive element displaces the less reactive element

Types of Displacement Reactions:

• Metal displacement: a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound
• Non-metal displacement: a more reactive non-metal displaces a less reactive non-metal from its compound
• Hydrogen displacement: a more reactive element displaces hydrogen from water or an acid

Examples:

• Zinc displacing copper from copper sulfate: Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu
• Chlorine displacing iodine from potassium iodide: Cl₂ + 2KI → 2KCl + I₂
• Sodium displacing hydrogen from water: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂

Factors Affecting Displacement Reactions:

• Reactivity of the elements involved
• Concentration of the reactants
• Temperature
• Presence of catalysts or inhibitors

Displacement Reaction

• A type of chemical reaction where an atom or a group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by another atom or group of atoms.

Characteristics

• One element displaces another element from a compound.
• The reactivity of the elements involved determines the outcome of the reaction.
• The more reactive element displaces the less reactive element.

Types of Displacement Reactions

• Metal displacement: a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound.
• Non-metal displacement: a more reactive non-metal displaces a less reactive non-metal from its compound.
• Hydrogen displacement: a more reactive element displaces hydrogen from water or an acid.

Examples

• Zinc displacing copper from copper sulfate: Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu.
• Chlorine displacing iodine from potassium iodide: Cl₂ + 2KI → 2KCl + I₂.
• Sodium displacing hydrogen from water: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂.

Factors Affecting Displacement Reactions

• Reactivity of the elements involved.
• Concentration of the reactants.
• Temperature.
• Presence of catalysts or inhibitors.

Learn about displacement reactions, also known as single displacement reactions, where an atom or group of atoms is replaced by another in a chemical reaction.