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A double displacement reaction involves two ionic compounds that are dissolved in water. In a double displacement reaction, it appears as though the ions ...
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A double displacement reaction involves two ionic compounds that are dissolved in water. In a double displacement reaction, it appears as though the ions are “trading places,” as in the following hypothetical reaction: AB (^) (aq) + CD (^) (aq) → AD + CB Where AB exists as A+^ and B-^ ions in solution and CD exists as C+^ and D-^ ions in solution. As the ions come in contact with each other, there are six possible combinations that might conceivably cause a chemical reaction. Two of these combinations are the meeting of ions of like charge; that is, A++ C+^ and B-+ D-. But since like charges repel, no reaction will occur with these combinations. Two other possible combinations are those of the original two compounds; that is, A++ B-^ and C++ D-. Since we originally had a solution containing each of these pairs of ions, they can mutually exist in the same solution; therefore they do not recombine. Thus the two possibilities for chemical reaction are the combination of each of the positive ions with the negative ion of the other compound; that is, A++ D-^ and C++ B-. In summary, when the solutions are mixed, these ions can all come into contact with each other, and new products could be formed. If new products are to be formed, there is only one possible combination of products: since like charges repel each other, we cannot have new compounds containing two negative ions or two positive ions. The only other possible new combination comes from the positive and negative ions of the two compounds switching places. There are three types of equations that can be written for reactions that involve ions in solution. The first type is just the regular, overall (often called “molecular”) equation. An example of an overall equation for a double displacement reaction is: Na 2 CO 3 (aq) + 2 AgNO 3 (aq) → 2 NaNO 3 (aq) + Ag 2 CO 3 (s) In this type of equation, the complete formulas are shown along with the appropriate state symbols. The formulas of the products are obtained as follows:
separated ions. Likewise, any substances which exist mostly as molecules are shown as molecules in the equation. Insoluble ionic compounds are not shown ionized, since their ions are not actually separated in the solution. The complete ionic equation for the above reaction would be: 2 Na+ (aq) + CO 32 - (aq) + 2 Ag+ (aq) + 2 NO 3 - (aq) → 2 Na+ (aq) + 2 NO 3 - (aq) + Ag 2 CO3(s) A third type of equation is called a net ionic equation. In a net ionic equation, only those species (ions or molecules) that actually change are shown. All of the spectator ions (those ions that are present in the solution but which are not reacting) are not written. In the above reaction, the spectator ions are sodium ion and nitrate ion: they appear on both sides of the reaction unchanged. The net ionic equation for the above reaction is therefore: CO 32 - (aq) + 2 Ag+ (aq) → Ag 2 CO3(s) A net ionic equation is not really a complete equation, since it does not give complete formulas; it is nevertheless quite useful, since it focuses attention on the main event. In the present case, the equation says the Ag+^ ion (from an unspecified source) combines with a CO 32 -^ ion (also from an unspecified source) to form a precipitate of Ag 2 CO 3. This will happen any time these two ions are put together in the same solution. In each part of this experiment two aqueous solutions, each containing positive and negative ions, will be mixed in a test tube. You will observe whether or not a reaction occurs in each case, and predict the products. You will also practice writing different types of equations for reactions. Let us look at some examples. Example 1. When solutions of sodium chloride and silver nitrate are mixed, the equation for the hypothetical double displacement reaction is: NaCl + AgNO 3 → NaNO 3 + AgCl (The formulas of the products are obtained by switching the ions.) A white precipitate is produced when these solutions are mixed. This precipitate is definite evidence of a chemical reaction. One of the two products, sodium nitrate (NaNO 3 ) or silver chloride (AgCl) is insoluble. Although the precipitate could be identified by further chemical testing, we can instead look at the solubility table to find that sodium nitrate is soluble but silver chloride is insoluble. We may then conclude that the precipitate is silver chloride and indicate this in the equation with the state symbol (s), which stands for “solid”. Thus the overall equation should read: NaCl (^) (aq) + AgNO 3 (aq) → NaNO 3 (aq) + AgCl (^) (s) The complete ionic equation for the above reaction would be: Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) + Ag+ (aq) + NO 3 - (aq) → Na+ (aq) + NO 3 - (aq) + AgCl(s) The net ionic equation for the above reaction (canceling out the spectator ions sodium ion and nitrate ion) is: Cl- (aq) + Ag+ (aq) → AgCl(s) Example 2. When solutions of sodium chloride and potassium nitrate are mixed, the equation for the hypothetical double displacement reaction is NaCl + KNO 3 → KCl + NaNO 3 (The formulas of the products are obtained by switching the ions.) We get the hypothetical products by simply combining each positive ion with the other negative ion. But has there been a reaction? When we do the experiment we see no evidence of reaction. There is no precipitate formed, no gas evolved, and no obvious temperature
H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H 2 O(l) Water is the most common slightly ionized substance formed in double displacement reactions; other examples are acetic acid (HC 2 H 3 O 2 ) and phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ). (Any weak acid is slightly ionized.) From the four examples cited we see that a double displacement reaction will occur if at least one of the following classes of substances is formed by the reaction:
beaker near the bottom so that your hand stays as far from the wires as possible. To be on the safe side, do not touch any part of the tester. Waste Disposal:
Part 1 – Observing Double Displacement Reactions Each reaction in this part of the experiment (except number 12) consists of mixing equal volumes of two solutions in a test tube. Make sure the test tubes are clean and have been rinsed with deionized water and shaken dry. Use about one milliliter of each solution. It is not necessary to measure each volume accurately (why?). Record your observations at the time of mixing. Where there is no visible evidence of reaction, feel each tube, or check with a thermometer, to determine if heat is evolved. In each case where a reaction has occurred, complete and balance the overall equation, properly indicating precipitates and gases, and write the net ionic equation for the reaction. When there is no evidence of reaction, write the words “no reaction” as the right-hand side of the equation.