Single Replacement Reactions

Notes on how to predict reactions of metals and halogens

2. “Single replacement
reactions” are chemical
reactions where, in some
cases, metals REPLACE other
metals that are in a solution.

3. Think about it like these people.
Orange shirt guy is by
himself. He is “bigger”
and “stronger” than the
guy in the white shirt
Orange shirt guy wants to
dance with the girl, so
because his can, he “kicks
out” the guy in the white
shirt and takes his partner…
leaving white shirt guy all
alone

4. How do we know if one metal is
“bigger” or “stronger” than
another and can kick it out and
take it’s partner?
THE METAL ACTIVITY SERIES!
If a metal is ABOVE it on the
activity series, then it is
“stronger” than it, “more reactive”
than it, and CAN kick it out and
take it’s place.

5. This makes the metal at the TOP
of the series the MOST reactive
metal, and the one at the bottom
the LEAST reactive metal.
Lithium can kick out all other metals
and take their place. Gold can not
replace anything… it does not react
with any other metallic solutions.
Including acids.

6. http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/redox/home.html

7. A metal single replacement reaction
looks like this in equation form:
A + BC AC + B→
Where “A” kicks out “B” and takes it’s place…
A+BC →AC +
Try some….

8. Hydrogen is also part of the “Activity
Series”
When Hydrogen is part of an acid, it
can replace metals or be replaced by
metals…
Falls in just above
the “coinage
metals

9. Zn
ClHCl

10. HALOGENS also do single
replacement reactions
They work the same way, EXCEPT
that the halogen replaces the
SECOND half of the compound (The
other halogen)
In order for a halogen to “kick out”
another halogen and take it’s place, it
must be ABOVE it in the periodic
table

11. A halogen single replacement reaction
looks like this in equation form:
A + BC BA + C→
Where “A” kicks out “C” and takes it’s place…
A+CB →BA +
Try some….