Here's how it works:
* Element: A pure substance made up of only one type of atom.
* Compound: A substance made up of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together.
In a single displacement reaction, a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element in a compound. This results in the formation of a new element and a new compound.
General form of the reaction:
A + BC → AC + B
Where:
* A is the more reactive element
* B is the less reactive element
* BC is the compound
* AC is the new compound formed
Example:
* Zinc (Zn) reacts with copper sulfate (CuSO4) to form zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and copper (Cu).
Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu
In this reaction, zinc (Zn) is more reactive than copper (Cu), so it displaces copper from copper sulfate. This results in the formation of zinc sulfate and copper metal.
Note: Not all elements and compounds will undergo single displacement reactions. The reactivity of the elements involved determines whether the reaction will occur. You can use the reactivity series of metals to predict which elements will displace others.
