Understanding Single Replacement Reactions
Single replacement reactions involve one element replacing another in a compound. The general form is:
A + BC → AC + B
Applying the Principles to Our Reaction
1. Identify the more reactive metal: Iron (Fe) is more reactive than copper (Cu) based on the activity series of metals. This means iron can displace copper from its compound.
2. Write the balanced equation:
Fe + Cu(NO₃)₂ → Fe(NO₃)₂ + Cu
Products:
The products of the reaction are:
* Iron(II) nitrate (Fe(NO₃)₂) : The iron replaces the copper in the nitrate compound.
* Copper (Cu): The displaced copper metal is formed as a solid.
Key Points
* Activity Series: The activity series of metals helps determine whether a single replacement reaction will occur. A metal higher on the series can displace a metal lower on the series.
* Balancing: Make sure to balance the chemical equation to ensure the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
