CHAPTER Displacement Reactions

4
Specific Expectations
In this chapter, you will learn how to . . .
• C1.1 analyze, on the basis of research,
chemical reactions used in various
industrial processes that can have an
impact on the health and safety of local
populations (4.3)

• C1.2 assess the effectiveness of some

applications that are used to address
social and environmental needs and
problems (4.3)

• C2.2 write balanced chemical equations to

represent single displacement and double
displacement reactions using the IUPAC
nomenclature system (4.1, 4.2)

• C2.3 investigate single displacement

and double displacement reactions by
testing the products of each reaction
(4.1, 4.2)

• C2.5 predict the products of single

displacement reactions, using the metal
activity series and the halogen series
(4.1)

• C2.6 predict the products of double

displacement reactions (4.2)

• C2.9 investigate neutralization

reactions (4.2)

• C2.10 plan and conduct an inquiry to

demonstrate a single displacement
reaction, using elements from the metal
activity series (4.1)

• C3.1 identify various types of chemical

reactions, including single displacement
and double displacement (4.1, 4.2, 4.3)

D isplacement reactions play an important role in the mining

industry. An ore may be mined as a source of a metal, such as copper,
nickel, or gold. Often, different types of displacement reactions are
used first to change the metal to a soluble form and then to remove
the metal from solution in its solid form. Similar extractions can occur
naturally when waste materials from a mining operation are exposed
to air and rain, as shown in this photograph of Sudbury, Ontario.
Displacement reactions are also used to address environmental
issues. For example, these reactions are used to remove toxic metal
ions from water or contaminated soils.

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Launch Lab

Observing Displacement Reactions

In this activity, you will see two examples of displacement reactions,
which you will learn about in the chapter.

Safety Precautions

• Wear safety eyewear throughout this activity.

• Tie back loose hair and clothing.
• Use EXTREME CAUTION when you are near an open flame.
• Wear a lab coat or apron throughout this activity.

Materials
• 110 mL of 1 mol/L hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq)
• 3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator solution
• 15 cm of clean magnesium, Mg(s), ribbon
• test tube
• 120 mL of 1 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH(aq)
• wooden splint
• 600 mL beaker
• Bunsen burner secured to a utility stand
• igniter for Bunsen burner

Procedure
1. Pour 100 mL of 1 mol/L hydrochloric acid, into a 600 mL beaker.
Add three drops of phenolphthalein indicator solution. Record the
appearance of the solution.
2. Add 10 cm of magnesium ribbon to the solution. Record your
observations.
3. In a small test tube, place about 10 mL of hydrochloric acid and
5 cm of magnesium ribbon. Light the Bunsen burner. Ignite the splint,
and then blow out its flame. Put the glowing end of the splint into the
top of the test tube. Record your observations.
4. When the magnesium in the beaker has stopped reacting, add
120 mL of 1 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution. Record your
observations.
5. Dispose of the solutions as directed by your teacher.

Questions
1. What colour is phenolphthalein indicator in an acidic solution and
in a basic solution?
2. What happens when magnesium is added to hydrochloric acid?
3. Magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2(s), is not soluble in water. Use this
fact, as well as your answer to question 1, to explain your observations
in step 4.
4. In this lab activity, you observed two reactions involving magnesium.
Why do you think these reactions are called displacement reactions?

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SECTION
Single Displacement Reactions
4.1
Key Terms In a game of basketball, shown in Figure 4.1, a team can have five players on the court
at one time. However, a substitute player can take the place of another player.
single displacement reaction
Substitution also occurs in chemical reactions. A single displacement reaction is a
activity series
reaction in which one element takes the place of another element in a compound.

single displacement
reaction a chemical
reaction in which one
element in a compound
is replaced (displaced)
by another element

Figure 4.1 On a basketball court, one player can be replaced with a different player. Similarly, in
a single displacement reaction, one element in a compound is replaced by another element.

Characteristics of Single Displacement Reactions

In Chapter 3, you learned that the decomposition reaction used to inflate air bags
produces nitrogen gas and sodium metal. A single displacement reaction then converts
sodium, which is a very reactive element, into the stable compound sodium oxide:
sodium + iron(III) oxide → sodium oxide + iron
6Na(s) + Fe2O3(s) → 3Na2O(s) + 2Fe(s)
In this reaction, the element sodium takes the place of, or displaces, iron from the
compound iron(III) oxide.
The products of a single displacement reaction are an element and a compound that
are different from the reactants. Two general forms for single displacement reactions
are shown below. A and B represent metals, and X and Y represent non-metals.

Reactions in which a metal displaces another metal:

A + BX → AX + B
+ → +

Reactions in which a non-metal displaces another non-metal:

AX + Y → AY + X
+ → +

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Types of Single Displacement Reactions
The general forms you just read show two types of single displacement reactions:
• a metal displacing another metal from an ionic compound
• a non-metal displacing another non-metal from an ionic compound
A single displacement reaction does not always occur between two metals or two
non-metals. The following single displacement reaction also occurs:
• a metal displacing hydrogen from an acid or water

A Metal Displacing Another Metal from an Ionic Compound

Most single displacement reactions involve a metal displacing another metal from an
ionic compound. Figure 4.2 shows the reaction that occurs when a piece of copper metal
is placed in a solution of silver nitrate. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is
copper + silver nitrate → copper(II) nitrate + silver
Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Copper begins as a metallic element and becomes metallic ions dissolved in a solution.
Silver begins as metallic ions dissolved in a solution and becomes a metallic element.
This pattern of change is regularly seen in single displacement reactions.

Reactants

Cu Ag+

NO3-
H2O

Products
Ag

Cu2+
NO3- H2O

Figure 4.2 Copper displaces silver from silver nitrate dissolved in water. Solid silver forms,
and the solution turns blue due to the formation of copper(II) ions.
Infer What happens to the nitrate ions during the reaction of copper and silver nitrate?

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When a Reaction Does Not Occur
What happens if the metals are reversed? Look at Figure 4.3, which shows silver metal in
a copper(II) nitrate solution. As you can see, nothing happens. No reaction takes place.
The silver does not displace the copper from the solution. So, a single displacement
reaction occurs only for certain combinations of metals and ionic compounds.

Reactants

Ag

Cu2+
NO3- H2O

Figure 4.3 When silver metal is placed in a copper(II) nitrate solution, no reaction happens.
The silver cannot displace the copper from the copper(II) nitrate dissolved in water.

Activity Series
By performing many experiments, chemists were able to develop lists that show the
activity series a
ranking of the relative relative reactivity of elements, specifically metals and halogens. These lists are called
reactivity of metals or activity series. The activity series of metals is shown in Table 4.1.
halogens in aqueous
reactions Table 4.1 Activity Series of Metals
Metal Displaces Hydrogen … Reactivity
lithium most reactive
potassium
barium
calcium
sodium co water
from cold
SuggestedInvestigation magnesium
Plan Your Own Investigation aluminum
4-A, Making an Activity zinc
Series of Metals
chromium
iron
cadmium
cobalt
nickel
tin
lead a
from acids
hydrogen
copper
mercury
silver
platinum
gold least re
reactive

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Using the Activity Series of Metals
The activity series allows chemists to predict whether a single displacement reaction
between a metal and an ionic compound will occur. As you can see in Table 4.1,
the elements in the activity series are placed in order from the most reactive to the
least reactive.
Compare the locations of copper and silver in Table 4.1. Copper is more reactive than
silver and is higher than silver in the activity series. As a result, a single displacement
reaction will occur when copper metal is placed in an aqueous solution of a silver
compound. A reaction will not occur when silver metal is placed in an aqueous solution
of a copper compound because silver is less reactive than copper.

Predicting Products of a Single Displacement Reaction

To predict the products of a single displacement reaction, look at the activity series of
metals. If the single element is higher in the activity series, and therefore more reactive
than the element it might replace in the compound, a reaction will occur. The products
will be the less active metal (as an element) and an ionic compound composed of the
more active metal ion and the anion (negatively charged ion) of the original compound.

Applications and the Activity Series of Metals

The reactivity of metals affects how appropriate they are for various
applications. For example, many older homes have water pipes made of
steel with an inner coating of zinc. Over time, however, the zinc flakes
off, allowing the water to directly contact the steel. As the steel rusts, the
pipe can become clogged and even break. Modern homes may have water
pipes made of copper, shown in Figure 4.4, or plastic, both of which are
resistant to corrosion.
Titanium is a metal that has many applications because it is strong,
light in weight, and resistant to corrosion. It is commonly used to make
replacement hip and knee joints. It is also used in dentistry for tooth
replacement. A titanium implant is placed into the jawbone, and the top
of the implant is covered with an artificial tooth. Titanium is also used
for screws and pins inserted to stabilize broken bones.

Figure 4.4 Copper pipes, which are often used in home

plumbing systems, are resistant to corrosion. The activity
series of metals shows that copper is much less reactive
than iron, which is a chief component of steel pipes.

Learning Check

1. What is the general form of a single displacement 5. In an investigation, a piece of copper wire is added
reaction in which a metal displaces another metal? to a solution that contains lead ions.
2. What is the main characteristic of a single a. Predict whether a reaction will occur.
displacement reaction? b. Explain your prediction.
3. How is an activity series developed for a group 6. Titanium is not listed in Table 4.1.
of elements? a. Would you expect titanium to appear closer to
4. Refer to Table 4.1. Why are some metal objects the top or the bottom of the activity series?
coated with a thin layer of platinum or gold to b. Explain your reasoning.
prevent corrosion?

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A Metal Displacing Hydrogen from Acid or Water
The element hydrogen is just below lead in the activity series of metals. Although
hydrogen is not a metal, its single valence electron allows it to form hydrogen ions that
have a 1+ charge. Because hydrogen forms cations (positively charged ions) like metals
do, it is often involved in single displacement reactions with metals. When hydrogen
is replaced by a metal, hydrogen gas, H2(g), is produced. Compounds from which
hydrogen can be displaced include acids and water.

Displacement from an Acid

The reaction of magnesium with hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq), shown in Figure 4.5, is an
example of a metal displacing hydrogen from an acid. The balanced chemical equation
for this reaction is
magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
When an acid is a reactant in a single displacement reaction, you can think of the acid
in terms of the ions it forms when it is dissolved in water. The ions in hydrochloric acid
can be treated as H+ and Cl-. The metal displaces the hydrogen and forms an ionic
compound with the chloride ion.
The location of hydrogen in the activity series of metals shows the relative reactivity
of hydrogen in acids. Every metal above hydrogen in the activity series can displace
hydrogen from an acid, as noted in Table 4.1, but the metals below hydrogen cannot.

Reactants Products

H+ Mg 2+

H2O

H2O
CI- CI-
Mg H2

Figure 4.5 When magnesium displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid, bubbles of hydrogen
gas, H2(g), form.
Identify Give an example of another metal that can displace hydrogen from acids, and give an
example of a metal that cannot displace hydrogen from acids.

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Displacement from Water
Hydrogen can also be displaced from water. However, the hydrogen atoms in water
are harder to displace than the hydrogen atoms in an acid. As a result, only very active
metals can displace hydrogen from water, as shown in Table 4.1. In Figure 4.6, you
can see sodium reacting with water in a single displacement reaction. The balanced
chemical equation for this reaction is
sodium + water → sodium hydroxide + hydrogen
2Na(s) + 2H2O() → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

Reactants Products
OH-
H2O
Na

Na+
H2O

H2

Figure 4.6 Sodium is reactive enough to displace hydrogen from water. The change in colour of
the phenolphthalein that was added indicates the presence of hydroxide ions from the formation
of sodium hydroxide during the reaction.

The products of this reaction include diatomic hydrogen gas and sodium
hydroxide. When predicting the products of a single displacement reaction that
involves water, think of water as being composed of hydrogen and hydroxide ions, H+
and OH-. The metal displaces the hydrogen ions, which form hydrogen gas, and it
bonds with the hydroxide ions to form an ionic compound.

Making Alkali Metals Safer

The reactivity of sodium and other alkali metals makes these metals useful in a wide
range of chemical reactions, including the generation of hydrogen for fuel cells through
single displacement reactions. However, the reactivity of alkali metals also makes them
dangerous. Alkali metals react easily with water and oxygen in the air, which means
that handling them can be hazardous. In several industrial processes, alkali metals are
used in liquid ammonia to reduce contact with water and oxygen. Liquid ammonia
must be kept well below its boiling point of -33°C to prevent the release of toxic
ammonia gas.
A new technique provides the reactivity of alkali metals without the danger of using
very cold ammonia. An alkali metal is absorbed into a porous silica gel to form a powder.
The powder can still undergo reactions, but because the particles of the alkali metal are
so small and are surrounded by silica, the reactions can take place safely without the
need for cold ammonia. As well as making the reaction conditions safer, the powder
forms more stable products than those formed using an alkali metal in ammonia.

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A Non-metal Displacing Another Non-metal from an Ionic Compound
Non-metals also undergo single displacement reactions. When one of the reactants
is a diatomic halogen molecule and the other reactant is an ionic compound that
contains a halogen, the halogen in the compound may be replaced. For example, when
chlorine gas is bubbled through an aqueous solution of sodium bromide, the following
reaction occurs:
chlorine + sodium bromide → sodium chloride + bromine
Cl2(g) + 2NaBr(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + Br2()
The non-metal chlorine displaces the non-metal bromine from the compound.
This reaction is used to produce bromine for use in agriculture, fire retardants, and
petroleum additives.

Halogen Activity Series

Similar to metals, halogens can be arranged in an activity series, as shown in
Table 4.2. The reactivity of the halogens decreases as you move from top to
bottom within the group. Therefore, the activity series of halogens mirrors
the arrangement of the halogens in the periodic table.
Table 4.2 Activity Series of Halogens
Halogen Reactivity
fluorine most reactive
chlorine
bromine
iodine least reactive

Activity 4.1 Predicting Trends in the Reactivity of Halogens

The halogens, found in Group 17 in the periodic table, share Procedure

some common characteristics. For example, the atoms of Construct a line graph for each property. Plot the halogens
all the halogens have seven electrons in their outermost along the x-axis. Label the axes and units as necessary.
energy level. As with most groups in the periodic table, the
halogens exhibit trends, such as their ability to react with Questions
other substances. 1. Identify any periodic trends in your graphs. Relate
Properties of Halogens these trends to the activity series of halogens shown in
Table 4.2.
Atomic Ionization
Radius Energy 2. Astatine does not appear in the activity series of
Halogen (picometres) (kJ/mol) Electronegativity halogens, shown in Table 4.2, because it is a very rare
fluorine 72 1681 3.98 element. Predict the location of astatine in the activity
series. Provide a brief explanation of your reasoning.
chlorine 100 1251 3.16
bromine 114 1140 2.96
iodine 133 1008 2.66
astatine 140 920 2.20

Predicting Products of Single Displacement Reactions

When predicting the products of a single displacement reaction involving halogens, you
can use the activity series of halogens in the same way that you use the activity series of
metals. If the uncombined halogen is higher in the activity series than the halogen in
the compound that it might replace, then a reaction will occur. From the activity series,
you can see that fluorine can replace any other halogen, but iodine can replace none.

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Sample Problem

Predicting Products in Single Displacement Reactions

Problem
Using the activity series of metals and halogens, write a balanced chemical equation for each single
displacement reaction. If you predict that no reaction will occur, write “NR.”
a. Ca(s) + H2O() → b. Fe(s) + CrSO4(aq) → c. Br2() + NaI(aq) →

What Is Required?
If a single displacement reaction will occur, the chemical formulas of the products
are required.

What Is Given?
Reactants: a. calcium and water b. iron and chromium(II) sulfate c. bromine and sodium iodide
Type of reaction: single displacement

Plan Your Strategy Act on Your Strategy

Identify the elements that are involved in the displacement. a. calcium and hydrogen
b. iron and chromium
c. bromine and iodine
Locate the elements in the activity series. Determine whether a a. Calcium is above hydrogen in the activity
reaction will occur. series of metals, and it is reactive enough to
displace hydrogen from water. Therefore, a
reaction will occur.
b. Iron is below chromium in the activity series of
metals. Iron is not reactive enough to displace
chromium, so no reaction will occur.
c. Bromine is above iodine in the activity series of
halogens, so it is reactive enough to displace iodine.
Therefore, a reaction will occur.
Predict the products that will form. a. Calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas will form.
b. NR
c. Sodium bromide and iodine will form.
Write the formulas of the products. Balance each chemical a. Ca(s) + 2H2O() → Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
equation. b. Fe(s) + CrSO4(aq) → NR
c. Br2() + 2NaI(aq) → 2NaBr(aq) + I2(aq)

Check Your Solution

Based on the activity series of metals, calcium can displace hydrogen from water, but
iron cannot displace chromium from chromium(II) sulfate. Based on the activity
series of halogens, bromine can displace iodine from sodium iodide.

Practice Problems

Using the appropriate activity series, write a balanced 5. Cl2(g) + NaI(aq) →

chemical equation for each single displacement reaction. 6. Ni(s) + H2O() →
If you predict that no reaction will occur, write “NR.”
7. Pb(s) + Sn(ClO3)4(aq) →
1. Mg(s) + CrSO4(aq) →
8. K(s) + H2O() →
2. Br2() + KF(aq) →
9. HCl(aq) + Cd(s) →
3. Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) →
10. Pb(ClO3)4(aq) + Al(s) →
4. F2(g) + MgI2(aq) →

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Section 4.1 REVIEW

Section Summary
• In a single displacement reaction, one element replaces • An activity series lists elements in order, from most
another element in a compound to produce a new reactive to least reactive.
element and a new compound. • The activity series of metals and the activity series
• The general form for single displacement reactions in of halogens are used to predict whether a single
which a metal displaces another metal, where A and B are displacement reaction will occur.
metals, is A + BX → AX + B. The general form for single • A single displacement reaction can only occur when an
displacement reactions in which a non-metal displaces uncombined element is higher in an activity series than
another non-metal, where X and Y are non-metals, is the element it would replace in a compound.
AX + Y → X + AY.

Review Questions
1. K/U Describe the displacement reaction that occurs 12. T/I If the liquid in the photograph is water,
in an air bag to change sodium into a less harmful could the metal be zinc? If the liquid is an acid,
chemical. could the metal be zinc? Explain your reasoning.
2. K/U Explain why “single displacement” is a suitable
term to describe the reactions discussed in this section.
3. T/I Look again at Figures 4.2 and 4.3. Describe how
the evidence in these figures can be used to determine the
relative placement of silver and copper in an activity series.
4. A Based on the activity series of metals, explain
why large amounts of gold jewellery and coins have
survived from ancient civilizations.
5. T/I For each pair of reactants, write a balanced
chemical equation if a single displacement reaction
will occur. If you predict that no reaction will occur, 13. K/U Which halogens can be replaced by chlorine?
write “NR.” 14. C Design a concept map that shows the
a. copper and magnesium sulfate relationships among the following terms:
b. zinc and iron(II) chloride • single displacement reaction
c. magnesium and aluminum sulfate • activity series
d. zinc and hydrochloric acid • metals
e. copper and zinc nitrate • non-metals
f. magnesium and sulfuric acid • hydrogen
6. A Aluminum is much more abundant than iron in • acids
Earth’s crust. Use Table 4.1 to infer why aluminum was • halogens
very expensive and not widely used until the late 1800s. 15. T/I For each pair of reactants, write a balanced
7. K/U Why is hydrogen included in the activity series chemical equation if a single displacement reaction
of metals? will occur. If you predict that no reaction will occur,
8. A Describe two methods you could use to produce write “NR.”
hydrogen gas by a single displacement reaction. a. iron and hydrobromic acid
b. bromine and magnesium iodide
9. C Draw a model of a single displacement reaction
c. potassium and aluminum sulfate
in which hydrogen is displaced.
d. lithium and water
10. K/U When a metal displaces hydrogen from e. cobalt and water
water, what types of substances form? f. bromine and iron(II) chloride
11. C Describe how to use the periodic table to 16. T/I Which halogen is capable of displacing only one
compare the relative reactivities of the halogens. halogen and is itself replaced by two halogens?

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SECTION
Double Displacement Reactions
4.2
X rays are highly useful for creating images of bones in the human body, but they Key Terms
generally do not show soft tissues clearly. To help doctors diagnose conditions
double displacement
involving the digestive tract, a patient may be asked to drink a liquid that contains tiny
reaction
particles of barium sulfate, BaSO4(s). These particles block X rays, allowing organs such
as the stomach to appear in high contrast on X-ray images, as shown in Figure 4.7. precipitate
Particles of barium sulfate can be produced by the reaction of barium chloride with neutralization
sodium sulfate:
barium chloride + sodium sulfate → sodium chloride + barium sulfate
BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)
Notice that the positive ions, Ba2+ and Na+, change partners. This reaction is called a
double displacement
double displacement reaction. A double displacement reaction involves the exchange reaction a chemical
of positive ions between two ionic compounds to form two new ionic compounds. reaction in which the
positive ions of two ionic
compounds exchange
places, resulting in the
formation of two new
ionic compounds

Figure 4.7 Drinking a liquid that contains barium sulfate allows organs to show up well on X-ray
images. Barium sulfate, which is not soluble in water, can be produced by a double displacement
reaction involving two soluble compounds, barium chloride and sodium sulfate.

Characteristics of Double Displacement Reactions

A double displacement reaction generally occurs between compounds that are in
aqueous solution. The general form of a double displacement reaction is

AX + BY → AY + BX

+ → +

In this equation, A and B are positively charged ions, or cations, and X and Y are
negatively charged ions, or anions.

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Types of Double Displacement Reactions
Just as there are different types of single displacement reactions, there are different
types of double displacement reactions. On the following pages, you will learn about
these double displacement reactions:
• a reaction that forms a solid
• a reaction that forms a gas
• a reaction that forms water
You will also learn about guidelines you can use to predict whether the products that
are likely to form are solids, gases, or water.

Determining the Products of a Double Displacement Reaction

To determine the products of a double displacement reaction, you must first determine
the ions that make up the reactants. For example, consider the reaction between
lithium chloride and lead(II) nitrate:
LiCl(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) →
The reactants are composed of four ions. Lithium chloride is composed of lithium ions,
Li+, and chloride ions, Cl-. Lead(II) nitrate is composed of lead(II) ions, Pb2+, and
nitrate ions, NO -
3.
To determine the products of the reaction, simply change the pairs of ions. In this
example, one of the products is lithium nitrate, formed from lithium ions pairing with
nitrate ions. The other product is lead(II) chloride, formed from lead(II) ions pairing
with chloride ions. When you write the formula of each ionic compound, remember to
balance the charges of the ions. The final balanced equation for the reaction between
lithium chloride and lead(II) nitrate is
lithium chloride + lead(II) nitrate → lithium nitrate + lead(II) chloride
2LiCl(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) → 2LiNO3(aq) + PbCl2(s)
A common use of lithium nitrate is the manufacture of fireworks and flares that
produce a red colour. Lead(II) chloride is used to make glass that transmits infrared
radiation for use as lenses in night-vision goggles, as shown in Figure 4.8.

Figure 4.8 Night-vision equipment detects infrared radiation. Such equipment can be used
to observe the activities of animals, such as the lion and rhinoceros shown here, when there is
insufficient visible light to see clearly.

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Learning Check

7. What is the general form of a double displacement 11. Would you expect an element to form during a double
reaction? displacement reaction? Explain your reasoning.
8. In what state are the reactants of most double 12. Potassium bromide can react with silver nitrate in
displacement reactions? a double displacement reaction to form an aqueous
9. Explain whether describing a double displacement potassium compound and a solid silver compound.
reaction as the exchange of cations between two a. What are the names and formulas of the products
compounds is correct. that form during this reaction?
10. When predicting the products of a double b. Write a balanced chemical equation for this
displacement reaction, why do you first need reaction.
to determine the ions in each reactant?

A Reaction That Forms a Solid

A common observation during many double displacement reactions is the formation of a
precipitate an
solid precipitate. In the previous example, the product, lead(II) chloride, is a precipitate. insoluble solid that is
A precipitate is also formed during the reaction between silver nitrate and sodium formed by a chemical
chloride, shown in Figure 4.9. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is reaction between two
soluble compounds
silver nitrate + sodium chloride → silver chloride + sodium nitrate
AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)
The solid product, silver chloride, is the precipitate.

Reactants Products

NO3- Na+
Ag+

H2O NO3- H2O

CI- CI-

Ag+

Na+

Figure 4.9 When aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and sodium chloride are mixed, a double
displacement reaction occurs. A precipitate, silver chloride, is formed. The second product,
sodium nitrate, remains in aqueous solution.
Identify the positive ions in this reaction, and describe what happens to them.

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Solubility Guidelines
How do chemists know whether a double displacement reaction is likely to produce a
precipitate? A set of solubility guidelines has been assembled, based on the experimental
results. These guidelines are shown in Table 4.3. Compounds that are insoluble or have
low solubility in water form precipitates in double displacement reactions.

Solubility Guidelines
1. The hydrogen ion, ammonium ion, and all Group 1 (alkali metal) ions form
soluble compounds with nearly all anions.
2. Nitrate and acetate ions form soluble compounds with nearly all cations.
3. Chloride, bromide, and iodide ions form compounds that have low solubility
with silver, lead(II), mercury(I), copper(I), and thallium cations only.
4. Fluoride forms compounds that have low solubility with magnesium, calcium,
barium, and lead(II) cations only.
5. The sulfate ion forms compounds that have low solubility with calcium,
strontium, barium, and lead(II) cations only.
6. The sulfide ion forms soluble compounds only with the ions listed in guideline
1 and with Group 2 cations.
7. The hydroxide ion forms compounds that are soluble only with the cations
listed in guideline 1, and with strontium, barium, and thallium cations.
8. Phosphate, carbonate, and sulfite ions form compounds that have low
solubility with all cations except for those listed in guideline 1.

Table 4.3 Solubility of Common Ionic Compounds in Water

Anion + Cation → Solubility of Compound
most alkali metal ions (Li+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Fr+) soluble
1. most hydrogen ion, H+ soluble
most ammonium ion, NH +
4 soluble
nitrate, NO -
3 most soluble
2. acetate (ethanoate), Ag+ low solubility
CH3 COO- most others soluble
chloride, Cl- Ag+, Pb2+, Hg 2+
2 , Cu+, Tl+ low solubility
3. bromide, Br-
iodide, I- all others soluble

Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Pb2+ low solubility

4. fluoride, F-
most others soluble
Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Pb2+ low solubility
5. sulfate, SO 2-
4
all others soluble
alkali ions and H+, NH +
4, Be2+, Mg2+, soluble
6. sulfide, S2- Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+
all others low solubility
alkali ions and H+, NH +
4, Sr2+, Ba2+, Tl+ soluble
7. hydroxide, OH-
all others low solubility
phosphate, PO 3-
4 alkali ions and H+, NH +
4
soluble
8. carbonate, CO 2-
3
all others low solubility
sulfite, SO 2-
3

“Soluble” here means that more than 1 g of a substance will dissolve in 100 mL of water at 25°C.

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Sample Problem

Predicting the Precipitate in a Double Displacement Reaction

Problem
The double displacement reaction between magnesium chloride and lead(II) acetate
forms a precipitate. Predict the products, and write a balanced chemical equation that
identifies the precipitate.

What Is Required?
Determine the products that form when magnesium chloride and lead(II) acetate react,
and write a balanced chemical equation that shows which product is a precipitate.

What Is Given?
You know the reactants: magnesium chloride and lead(II) acetate
You know the type of reaction: double displacement

Plan Your Strategy Act on Your Strategy

Identify the ions that make up each Magnesium chloride:
reactant. • magnesium ions, Mg2+
• chloride ions, Cl-
Lead(II) acetate:
• lead(II) ions, Pb2+
• acetate ions, CH3COO-
Switch the pairs of ions to determine the One product is magnesium acetate (magnesium ions paired with acetate ions).
products. The second product is lead(II) chloride (lead(II) ions paired with chloride ions).
Write a word equation for the reaction. magnesium chloride + lead(II) acetate → magnesium acetate + lead(II) chloride
Use the solubility guidelines to Magnesium acetate is not the precipitate because acetate ions form a soluble
determine the precipitate. compound with magnesium ions. Lead(II) chloride is the precipitate because the
compound formed from chloride ions and lead(II) ions has low solubility.
Write a balanced chemical equation for MgCl2(aq) + Pb(CH3COO)2(aq) → Mg(CH3COO)2(aq) + PbCl2(s)
the reaction.

Check Your Solution

All the chemical formulas are correct, and the chemical equation is balanced. The
products are correctly formed by switching the ions in the reactants. The precipitate is
correctly identified, based on the solubility guidelines.

Practice Problems

Determine the products that form in the double 14. rubidium sulfide and copper(II) iodide
displacement reaction between each pair of reactants, 15. zinc bromide and copper(I) acetate
and identify the precipitate. Then write a balanced
16. lithium hydroxide and magnesium chloride
chemical equation.
17. aluminum sulfate and lead(II) nitrate
11. potassium sulfate and calcium chloride
18. lithium phosphate and magnesium chloride
12. barium nitrate and sodium carbonate
19. calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate
13. iron(III) chloride and sodium hydroxide
20. silver nitrate and magnesium chloride

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A Reaction That Forms a Gas
Sometimes, the production of a gas, rather than a precipitate, indicates that a double
displacement reaction has occurred. Many of these double displacement reactions are,
in fact, two reactions that occur in rapid succession. A double displacement occurs,
but then one of the products quickly decomposes into water and a gas. To predict the
products in one of these reactions, you need to recognize the product that decomposes.

Formation of Carbon Dioxide

Have you ever made a vinegar and baking soda volcano like the one in Figure 4.10?
Vinegar contains acetic acid, CH3COOH(aq), and baking soda is sodium hydrogen
Figure 4.10 The bubbling carbonate, NaHCO3(s). To determine the products, identify the ions and change the
of this model volcano is pairs of ions. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is
caused by the formation of
carbon dioxide gas, which acetic acid + sodium hydrogen → sodium acetate + carbonic acid
is produced in the reaction carbonate (hydrogen carbonate)
between sodium hydrogen CH3COOH(aq) + NaHCO3(s) → NaCH3COO(aq) + H2CO3(aq)
carbonate (commonly
known as baking soda) and This cannot be the overall reaction because there is no carbon dioxide.
the acetic acid in vinegar.
Decomposition of Carbonic Acid
In these reactions, the product to watch for is carbonic acid, H2CO3(aq). Carbonic acid
decomposes into liquid water and carbon dioxide gas according to the following equation:
carbonic acid → water + carbon dioxide
H2CO3(aq) → H2O() + CO2(g)

Overall Chemical Reaction

SuggestedInvestigation Combining the double displacement reaction with the decomposition reaction gives
the overall balanced equation:
Inquiry Investigation
acetic acid + sodium hydrogen → sodium acetate + water + carbon
4-B, Observing Double
carbonate dioxide
Displacement Reactions
CH3COOH(aq) + NaHCO3(s) → NaCH3COO(aq) + H2O() + CO2(g)

Formation of Ammonia
Gaseous ammonia, NH3(g), forms in a similar way when a double displacement
reaction is followed by a decomposition reaction. In this type of double displacement
reaction, the product to look for is ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH(aq). For example,
the equation for the double displacement reaction between ammonium chloride and
sodium hydroxide is
ammonium chloride + sodium hydroxide → sodium chloride + ammonium hydroxide
NH4Cl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + NH4OH(aq)

Decomposition of Ammonium Hydroxide

Ammonium hydroxide decomposes to form water and ammonia according to the
following equation:
ammonium hydroxide → water + ammonia
NH4OH(aq) → H2O() + NH3(g)

Overall Chemical Reaction

So, the overall equation for the chemical reaction that occurs is
ammonium + sodium → sodium chloride + water + ammonia
chloride hydroxide
NH4Cl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O() + NH3(g)

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Predicting Products of Double Displacement Reactions That Form Gases
These two types of double displacement reactions, which form the gases carbon dioxide
and ammonia, are important to remember when you need to predict products. They
are summarized in Table 4.4.
Table 4.4 Double Displacement Reactions That Form Gases
Reactants Products
acid + compound containing carbonate ion ionic compound + water + carbon dioxide
compound containing ammonium ions + ionic compound + water + ammonia
compound containing hydroxide ions

Learning Check

13. What are the characteristics of a precipitate? 17. According to Table 4.3, which substance in each
14. In Figure 4.9, why is silver chloride shown in a of the following pairs is more soluble?
different form than the other compounds? a. FeS(s) or Ba(OH)2(s)
15. Do the solubility guidelines shown in Table 4.3 b. TlCl(s) or MgS(s)
apply to the solubility of compounds in all solvents, c. H3PO4(s) or SrCO3(s)
including alcohol and oil? Explain. d. PbSO4(s) or Na2SO3(s)
16. State the two types of reactions that occur when a 18. Write a balanced chemical equation for the double
double displacement reaction produces a gas. Give displacement reaction between calcium carbonate,
the general form of each reaction. CaCO3(s), and hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq).

A Reaction That Forms Water

When two solutions are mixed, the formation of a solid precipitate or a gas is evidence
that a reaction has occurred. However, there is one type of double displacement
reaction that occurs with no outward evidence of a reaction. This type of reaction
forms water as a product, but, because the reactants are in aqueous solution, there is no
visible sign that water molecules have formed.

Neutralization Reactions
Water can form when an acid and a base are combined in a process called
neutralization the
neutralization. Water forms when hydrogen ions from the acid join with hydroxide process of making a
ions from the base according to the following reaction: solution neutral
(pH = 7) by adding
H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(ℓ)
a base to an acidic
Because the hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions combine to form water, the amounts solution or by adding
of these potentially harmful ions decrease. As a result, the solution that forms from a an acid to an alkaline
neutralization reaction may be neutral—neither acidic nor basic. (basic) solution

Uses of Neutralization Reactions

Neutralization reactions between an acid and a base are important for treating acid or
base spills. For example, when sulfuric acid, H2SO4(aq), spilled from derailed tanker
cars near Englehart, Ontario, a solution of the base calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2(aq),
was used to help neutralize the acid during clean-up. The balanced chemical equation
for this reaction is
sulfuric acid + calcium hydroxide → calcium sulfate + water
H2SO4(aq) + Ca(OH)2(aq) → CaSO4(s) + 2H2O(ℓ)

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Other Uses of Neutralization Reactions
SuggestedInvestigation Reactions between acids and bases are also important for optimizing soil conditions.
For example, lettuce and celery grow better in neutral to basic soil, but strawberries
Inquiry Investigation 4-C,
and tomatoes grow better in acidic soil. Figure 4.11 shows soil being tested to determine
Observing a Neutralization
whether it is acidic, neutral, or basic. Depending on the types of plants that will be
Reaction
grown, substances can be added to the soil to neutralize acids or bases. On a smaller
Inquiry Investigation 4-D,
scale, when someone takes antacid tablets to treat acid indigestion, basic substances in
Modelling Neutralization
Reactions Used in Scrubber the tablets help to neutralize the excess acid in the stomach. You will learn more about
Technology acids, bases, and neutralization in Unit 4.

Figure 4.11 Depending on the results of this soil test, lime, CaO(s), might be added to neutralize
excess acids in the soil, or a substance such as ammonium sulfate might be added to neutralize bases.

Summarizing Double Displacement Reactions

Most double displacement reactions form a precipitate. Therefore, when you are asked
to determine whether a reaction occurs, you will usually need to examine the solubility
guidelines to determine whether one of the products is insoluble. Nevertheless, the
double displacement reactions that form gases or water are important to remember.
The flowchart in Figure 4.12 summarizes the double displacement reactions you have
studied in this section.

If one reactant … + the other reactant … then the products include

is an aqueous salt + is an aqueous salt a precipitate

is an acid + has carbonate ions water and carbon dioxide

has ammonium ions + has hydroxide ions water and ammonia

is an acid + has hydroxide ions water

For any other reactant pairs, check the solubility guidelines. The product might include a precipitate.

Figure 4.12 Use this flowchart to help you predict the products of a double displacement reaction.

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Sample Problem

Predicting Gases and Water in Double Displacement Reactions

Problem
Predict the products in each double displacement reaction, and write a balanced
chemical equation.
a. sodium carbonate reacting with hydrobromic acid
b. sodium hydroxide reacting with hydrobromic acid

What Is Required?
Determine the products that form from the given reactants, and write a balanced
chemical equation for each reaction.

What Is Given?
You know the reactants: a. sodium carbonate and hydrobromic acid
b. sodium hydroxide and hydrobromic acid
You know the type of reaction: double displacement

Plan Your Strategy Act on Your Strategy

Identify the ions that make up each a. Sodium carbonate: Hydrobromic acid:
reactant. • sodium ions, Na+ • hydrogen ions, H+
• carbonate ions, CO 2-
3 • bromide ions, Br-
b. Sodium hydroxide: Hydrobromic acid:
• sodium ions, Na+ • hydrogen ions, H+
• hydroxide ions, OH- • bromide ions, Br-
Switch the pairs of ions to determine a. sodium bromide and hydrogen carbonate (carbonic acid)
the products. b. sodium bromide and water
Look for carbonic acid or ammonium a. Carbonic acid will break down into water and carbon dioxide.
hydroxide, which break down into b. Neither carbonic acid nor ammonium hydroxide is formed.
water and a gas.
Write a word equation for each a. sodium carbonate + hydrobromic acid → sodium bromide + water + carbon dioxide
reaction. b. sodium hydroxide + hydrobromic acid → sodium bromide + water
Write and balance a chemical a. Na2CO3(aq) + 2HBr(aq) → 2NaBr(aq) + H2O() + CO2(g)
equation for each reaction. b. NaOH(aq) + HBr(aq) → NaBr(aq) + H2O()

Check Your Solution

All the chemical formulas are correct, and each chemical equation is balanced.
The products are correctly formed by switching the ions of the reactants.

Practice Problems

Determine the products that form in the double 25. calcium carbonate and acetic acid
displacement reaction between each pair of reactants. 26. lithium hydroxide and ammonium bromide
Then write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction.
27. sulfuric acid and lithium hydroxide
21. potassium carbonate and hydrochloric acid
28. lithium hydrogen carbonate and acetic acid
22. sulfuric acid and sodium carbonate
29. calcium hydroxide and nitric acid
23. ammonium chloride and sodium hydroxide
30. ammonium chloride and magnesium hydroxide
24. rubidium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid

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Section 4.2 RE V I E W

Section Summary
• In a double displacement reaction, the positive ions in two • Solubility guidelines can be used to predict whether
compounds trade places to form two new compounds. a product of a double displacement reaction will be a
• The general form of a double displacement reaction is precipitate.
AX + BY → AY + BX. • Neutralization occurs when there is a double
• A double displacement reaction generally produces a displacement reaction between an acid and a base.
precipitate, a gas, or water. Water is a product of neutralization.

Review Questions
1. T/I The following general form of a double 11. T/I The photograph below shows the reaction
displacement reaction is incorrect: between sodium hydroxide and copper(II) chloride.
CW + DZ → CD + WZ a. What evidence of a double displacement reaction
do you see?
a. What is wrong with this general equation?
b. What are the names of the products that formed?
b. Write a correct equation using the reactants shown.
c. Which product is the precipitate? Explain your
2. C Create a graphic organizer that you could use to
reasoning.
predict the products of a double displacement reaction.
d. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction.
3. K/U What is a precipitate?
4. K/U What evidence would help you decide if a
double displacement reaction has occurred?
5. T/I What two anions are almost never found in a
precipitate formed during a reaction?
6. T/I What would be most likely to happen if you
combined the solutions of two compounds in which
the positive ions are alkali metals?
7. T/I What would be most likely to happen if you
combined the solutions of two compounds that have
the same anion?
8. C Suppose that you see an online video in which a
person adds sodium nitrate to a sample of tap water
and a precipitate forms. The person in the video
concludes that there is lead in the water. Write a 12. T/I What gas forms in the reaction between
comment to address the error in this conclusion. ammonium bromide and sodium hydroxide? Write
9. A To determine whether a rock sample is a balanced chemical equation for this reaction.
limestone, a geologist places several drops of 13. K/U What reactants are involved in a neutralization
hydrochloric acid on it. Limestone is calcium reaction?
carbonate, CaCO3(s). 14. K/U Which ions combine to form water during the
a. What evidence is the geologist expecting to see if reaction between an acid and a base?
the rock sample is limestone?
15. T/I What products should form during the reaction
b. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq), and a solution of
between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate. calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2(aq)? Write a balanced
10. A During a neutralization reaction, there is no chemical equation for the reaction.
visible evidence that a reaction is occurring. Describe a 16. C Analyze the following neutralization reaction:
safe way by means of which you could determine
3NaOH(aq) + H3PO4(aq) → H2O(aq) + Na3PO4(s)
whether a neutralization reaction is occurring.
In a brief paragraph, describe any errors you find and
explain how you would correct them.

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SECTION
Reactions in Industry
4.3
At the beginning of Unit 2, you read about a chemical reaction that is used to weld Key Terms
railroad tracks together. This is just one of the many reactions that are involved in the
matte
processes required to make the products you use in your daily life. Chemical reactions
leaching
are also involved in cleaning up the problems that result from these processes.

Thermite Reactions
Now that you have learned more about chemical reactions, you can re-examine
thermite reactions. When this type of reaction is used to weld railroad tracks, the
reactants, aluminum and iron oxide are powdered and thoroughly mixed. The reaction
is a single displacement reaction in which aluminum displaces iron according to the
following balanced chemical equation:
aluminum + iron oxide → iron + aluminum oxide
8Al(s) + 3Fe3O4(s) → 9Fe() + 4Al2O3(s)
Once the reaction begins, it releases enough energy to melt the iron.
In Figure 4.13, an aluminum wrench is hitting rusty iron, causing a small-scale
thermite reaction that produces sparks. In industrial settings or workshops, the grinding
or cutting of iron or steel can produce powdered iron oxides. Care must be taken in such
areas to avoid an unexpected thermite reaction when using aluminum objects.
Figure 4.13 The friction
from the impact of an
aluminum wrench with rusty
iron generated enough heat
to initiate a small thermite
reaction, as shown by the
bright sparks flying away
from the point of impact.
Analyze The thermite
reaction shown here occurs
in the solid state. How is
this different from the
other single displacement
reactions you have studied?

In addition to iron oxide, other metals can be used in thermite reactions. For example,
a thermite reaction involving copper(II) oxide can be used to produce pure copper
according to the following chemical equation:
aluminum + copper(II) oxide → copper + aluminum oxide
2Al(s) + 3CuO(s) → 3Cu() + Al2O3(s)
This reaction is often used to produce pure copper for welding electrical conductors. The
copper(II) oxide is held in a heat-resistant reaction chamber. The thermite reaction heats
the copper enough to melt it. The liquid copper is then allowed to flow into a mold that
surrounds the ends of the conductors. When the copper cools into a solid, it forms a weld
that allows an electric current to flow between the conductors.

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Magnesium Mining from Seawater
Many metals, such as copper, zinc, and gold, are extracted from solid ores. Although
magnesium is abundant in Earth’s crust, it is extracted from seawater, not rocks. As
a result, plants that produce magnesium, such as the one shown in Figure 4.14, are
usually located on the coast. Magnesium ions are the second most abundant cations
found in seawater, with only sodium ions in greater abundance. The process of
producing metallic magnesium requires several chemical reactions.

Steps in the Process of Magnesium Mining

Figure 4.15 shows the main steps in extracting magnesium from seawater.
The steps in the flowchart match the reactions described below.
Calcium carbonate is decomposed to produce calcium oxide.

Calcium hydroxide is produced by a synthesis reaction between calcium oxide and water.

Figure 4.14 This plant Magnesium hydroxide precipitates when calcium hydroxide is mixed with seawater.
processes seawater to
extract magnesium.
A neutralization reaction between magnesium hydroxide and
hydrochloric acid produces magnesium chloride.

Magnesium and chlorine are produced by the decomposition of magnesium chloride.

Figure 4.15 Use this flowchart to help you understand the sequence of chemical
reactions used in the extraction of magnesium from seawater.

Decomposition of Calcium Carbonate

First, calcium carbonate from seashells is decomposed to produce calcium oxide.
Recall, from Chapter 3, that carbon dioxide is a product when a metal carbonate
decomposes. The chemical equation is
calcium carbonate → calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

Synthesis of Calcium Hydroxide

The calcium oxide undergoes a synthesis reaction to form calcium hydroxide:
calcium oxide + water → calcium hydroxide
CaO(s) + H2O() → Ca(OH)2(aq)

Double Displacement between Calcium Hydroxide and Magnesium Compounds

The calcium hydroxide reacts with the magnesium ions in seawater in a double
displacement reaction. The magnesium ions are separated from the other ions
in seawater, such as sodium, chloride, and bromide ions, as the precipitate
magnesium hydroxide:
calcium hydroxide + magnesium ions → magnesium hydroxide + calcium ions
Ca(OH)2(aq) + Mg2+(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s) + Ca2+(aq)

Neutralization of Magnesium Hydroxide

The solid magnesium hydroxide is filtered out and undergoes neutralization with
hydrochloric acid:
magnesium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + water
Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O()

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Decomposition of Magnesium Chloride
The magnesium chloride is dried, melted, and then decomposed through electrolysis to
form magnesium metal:
magnesium chloride → magnesium + chlorine
MgCl2() → Mg() + Cl2(g)

Industrial Uses of Magnesium

The main industrial use for magnesium is in the manufacturing of aluminum-
magnesium alloys. An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals. Because magnesium
is a less dense metal than aluminum, their alloys are lighter in weight than pure
aluminum. In addition, the alloys are stronger and more resistant to corrosion than
pure aluminum. Beverage cans are often made of aluminum to which a small amount
of magnesium has been added, making the metal stronger and easier to shape.
Magnesium is also commonly used in electronic devices because of its light weight and
its electrical properties. The kayak shown in Figure 4.16 is made, in part, of an alloy of
aluminum and magnesium.

Figure 4.16 The frame of this kayak is constructed using tubing that is made from an alloy of
aluminum and magnesium.
Infer What properties of aluminum-magnesium tubing make it suitable for constructing a kayak?

Learning Check

19. Describe the displacement that occurs in a thermite 23. During the extraction of magnesium from seawater,
reaction involving iron oxide. why is a precipitate of magnesium formed, if it is
20. What product makes a thermite reaction useful converted into soluble magnesium chloride in the
for welding? next step?
21. Explain how a thermite reaction can be used to 24. Refer to Figure 4.15. What is an advantage of the
produce pure copper. production of chlorine in the final step of extracting
magnesium from seawater?
22. How are seashells used to help extract magnesium
from seawater?

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Extracting Metals from Ores
Gold and copper are important metals for Canada’s economy. Several different methods
are used for extracting these metals. Each method combines physical processes, such as
grinding and filtering, and chemical processes to obtain the desired product.

Copper Smelting
A smelter is a facility that uses heat to extract metal from ore. Figure 4.17 shows
a smelter that is used to refine copper at the Kidd Creek copper and zinc mine in
Timmins, Ontario. An important part of the design of this type of smelter is the
different heights of the furnaces. Molten products flow from one furnace continuously
into the next furnace because of the height difference, reducing the need for large
buckets and transfer equipment.

smelting furnace
slag-cleaning
furnace converting
furnace
anode furnace

Figure 4.17 These furnaces produce increasingly pure copper through a series of reactions.
Identify how the construction of the smelter allows gravity to move the material from one
furnace to the next.

Smelting Furnace
The smelting furnace is the first stage of copper production. An impure copper sulfide
matte an impure
copper(I) sulfide mixture matte, Cu2S(), forms. Oxygen is used to separate the iron from the copper in the
that is formed by mineral chalcopyrite, CuFeS2(s), ore according to this overall reaction:
smelting the sulfide ore
2CuFeS2(s) + 4O2(g) → Cu2S() + 2FeO() + 3SO2(g)
CHEM11_4.039A.ai
The iron(II) oxide is reacted with sand and limestone to convert it into a low density
compound called slag which floats to the top of the molten mixture. The copper matte
is more dense and sinks to the bottom.
SuggestedInvestigation The sulfur dioxide gas that is produced in these reactions and in later steps of
the process is collected and sent to a plant that produces sulfuric acid. This prevents
Inquiry Investigation 4-E,
the release of large amounts of pollutants that contribute to the formation of acid
From Copper to Copper
precipitation.

Slag-Cleaning Furnace
The products of the smelting furnace move to the slag-cleaning furnace, where they
separate due to differences in density. The matte flows into the converting furnace,
while the undesired material, called slag, is sent to storage.

Converting Furnace and Anode Furnace

In the next step, matte is purified further, to about 99 percent, in the converting furnace
through further displacement reactions. Air is blown through the molten mixture
and oxygen in the air reacts with the copper matte in a two step reaction. First, some
copper(I) sulfide is converted to copper(I) oxide. The copper(I) oxide then reacts with
more copper(I) sulfide to form metallic copper and sulfur dioxide.
2Cu2S() + 3O2(g) → 2Cu2O() + 2SO2(g)
Cu2S() + 2Cu2O() → 6Cu() + SO2(g)

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As in the earlier furnaces, the sulfur dioxide gas is collected, so it can be sent to a plant
that produces sulfuric acid. The small furnaces make it easier to recover the gases and
provide a steady stream of sulfur dioxide to the acid plant. Meanwhile, the copper
undergoes a final purification step in the anode furnace.
Because copper is an excellent conductor of electricity, a major use of copper is in
electrical wiring. Copper is also melted with other metals to make alloys. For example,
bronze is mainly an alloy of copper and tin, and brass is mainly an alloy of copper and zinc.

Gold and Cyanide Leaching

Gold is a relatively non-reactive metal. As a result, it can be found in nature in its
uncombined form. As shown in Figure 4.18, however, most gold is mixed into the
rock that surrounds it and must be separated. The most cost-effective method for
removing the gold involves treating the crushed rock with a sodium cyanide solution
to dissolve the gold.

Figure 4.18 Much of the rock mined as gold ore contains particles of gold that are too tiny to
be seen without a microscope. Some rocks, however, such as the one shown here, contain visible
particles of gold.

Leaching is the process of converting a metal to a soluble form to extract the

leaching a process that
metal. A commonly used process for the extraction of gold from ore is to react it is used to extract a metal
with a solution of sodium cyanide, NaCN(aq), to form sodium dicyanoaurate(I), by dissolving the metal
Na[Au(CN)2](aq), and sodium hydroxide. The overall reaction for leaching gold is in an aqueous solution

4Au(s) + 8NaCN(aq) + O2(g) + 2H2O() → 4Na[Au(CN)2](aq) + 4NaOH(aq)

The gold is recovered from the solution through displacement by zinc, according to the
following equation:
2Na[Au(CN)2](aq) + Zn(s) → 2NaCN(aq) + Zn(CN)2(aq) + 2Au(s)
The cyanide solution can be recycled and used again to convert gold to a soluble form
in an aqueous solution.
In industry, the most important use of gold is in the manufacture of electronics
components. Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity and is resistant to corrosion,
so it is used in small amounts in electronic devices, including cell phones and
computers. Gold is also an ingredient in some medications. In addition, it is used to fill
cavities in teeth and to make crowns to cover and protect teeth. Gold is highly suited
to such uses because it does not corrode, it does not trigger allergic reactions, and it is
easy to shape into the desired form. Gold coins have been used for many centuries as
currency. Other uses of gold include the production of jewellery, watches, and art objects.

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Waste and Spill Treatment
Because of the potentially harmful effects of the chemicals that are used and formed
during metal production, steps are taken to reduce emissions and to respond to spills.

Sulfur Dioxide Waste

Some industries, such as coal-burning power plants, use scrubbers to remove sulfur
dioxide, SO2(g), from exhaust gases to prevent its release into the atmosphere. If sulfur
dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it can eventually become sulfuric acid in rain
and snow.
Because many metals, such as copper, are found as sulfide ores, large amounts
of sulfur dioxide are commonly formed during metal extraction and purification.
Sulfur dioxide can be converted into sulfuric acid, which is either used in some of the
purification steps or sold. You may recognize the synthesis reactions that are involved in
forming sulfuric acid from Chapter 3:
2SO2(g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g)
SO3(g) + H2O() → H2SO4(aq)

Cyanide Spills
Cyanide leaching allows gold to be extracted from ores that would have too low a gold
content to be profitable. Unfortunately, cyanide is deadly in very small amounts if
ingested. A cyanide spill may occur if the wall of a holding pond breaks or if a storm
produces a large amount of rain and causes the holding pond to overflow. Two methods
are commonly used to treat a cyanide spill.

Use of Sodium Hypochlorite

The first method is a two-reaction process. In the first reaction, sodium hypochlorite, the
active ingredient in many chlorine bleaches, is added to the cyanide solution:
NaCN(aq) + NaOCl(aq) → NaCNO(aq) + NaCl(aq)
Sodium cyanate, NaCNO(aq), much less toxic than sodium cyanide. However, the
second reaction entirely eliminates any toxicity. Additional sodium hypochlorite is
used to convert the sodium cyanate into non-toxic compounds:
2NaCNO(aq) + 3NaOCl(aq) + H2O() → 3NaCl(aq) + N2(g) + 2NaHCO3(aq)

Use of Iron(II) Sulfate

Figure 4.19 The The second method involves adding iron(II) sulfate, which binds the toxic and soluble
precipitate that is formed cyanide ions into non-hazardous, complex iron(II) cyanide ions. The iron(II) cyanide
in the reaction between ions form precipitates with many metal ions, such as zinc and iron, as shown in
sodium iron(II) cyanide
Figure 4.19.
and iron(III) chloride is a
pigment known as Prussian First, a double displacement reaction occurs:
blue. This pigment is used FeSO4(aq) + 2NaCN(aq) → Fe(CN)2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq)
in blueprints and paints.
Next, a synthesis reaction forms complex ion, iron(II) cyanide ions:
Infer Why is forming a
precipitate helpful when Fe(CN)2(aq) + 4NaCN(aq) → Na4Fe(CN)6(aq)
cleaning up a cyanide spill?
Finally, double displacement reactions, such as the reaction below, cause the iron(II)
cyanide ions to form precipitates with other metal ions that are present.
3Na4Fe(CN)6(aq) + 4FeCl3(aq) → Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3(s) + 12NaCl(aq)

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Section 4.3 REVIEW

Section Summary
• A thermite reaction, used to weld railroad tracks, is a • After gold is leached from crushed rock using cyanide,
single displacement reaction between aluminum and it is recovered from the solution through displacement
iron oxide. by zinc.
• Extracting magnesium from seawater involves several • The sulfur dioxide gas that is produced during metal
chemical reactions, including a double displacement refining can be collected and converted into sulfuric acid,
reaction that forms a magnesium hydroxide precipitate through synthesis reactions, to prevent its release into
and a neutralization reaction that forms soluble the atmosphere.
magnesium chloride. • Sodium hypochlorite and iron(II) sulfate can be used to
• One method for refining copper involves several treat a toxic cyanide spill, making the spill less toxic.
reactions in which oxygen displaces sulfur in an ore.

Review Questions
1. T/I In a thermite reaction, why are the aluminum and 12. A What process in the extraction of gold is
metal oxide in powdered form rather than large pieces? modelled in this photograph?
2. A What are some benefits of using reactants in the
solid state in a thermite reaction, rather than the states
of the reactants in most other single displacement
reactions you have studied?
3. C Create a Venn diagram to compare the
extraction of magnesium from seawater with the
extraction of gold and copper from their sources.
4. K/U What type of reaction provides the calcium
oxide that is used to extract magnesium from seawater?
5. C Create a graphic organizer to summarize the
reactions involved in the extraction of magnesium
from seawater.
6. K/U In the extraction of magnesium from seawater,
what is the key process that is used to separate 13. A Instead of releasing the sulfur dioxide gas
magnesium ions from all the other ions that are produced during metal refining into the environment,
dissolved in seawater? a company may convert it into sulfuric acid.
7. K/U What is the purpose of the neutralization step in a. What is an environmental benefit of this process?
the extraction of magnesium from seawater? b. What is an economic benefit of this process for the
8. A A power plant built on the coast of an ocean can company?
be designed to use the motion of water between high c. Give the balanced chemical equations that describe
and low tides to generate electricity. the production of sulfur dioxide gas during the
a. What step of magnesium extraction might benefit smelting of copper.
from construction of such a power plant? Explain 14. K/U Name two chemicals that are used to clean up
your reasoning. a cyanide spill.
b. Give the balanced chemical equation that is 15. A During a clean-up of a contaminated site, a
associated with the step you identified. barrel containing a cyanide solution is discovered.
9. K/U What chemical compounds are produced in the In terms of the final products formed, which treatment
smelting furnace during copper production? of the solution would be preferred? Explain your
10. C Compare matte with slag in copper refining. reasoning.
11. Why is zinc able to displace gold that was
T/I 16. K/U Why are iron(II) cyanide ions important in the

leached from an ore? treatment of a cyanide spill with iron(II) sulfate?

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Plan Your Own 4-A
INVESTIGATION
Skill Check
✓

✓
Initiating and Planning
Performing and Recording
Making an Activity Series of Metals
While metals share common properties, they do not all behave the same way in
✓ Analyzing and Interpreting
single displacement reactions. For example, zinc displaces many metal cations
✓ Communicating
from their aqueous ionic compounds. Gold, on the other hand, is extremely
unreactive. Potassium reacts violently with water. Zinc does not react with water,
Safety Precautions but it reacts with acids. These observations raise a question: How can metals be
ranked in order of their reactivity?
• Wear safety eyewear throughout
Pre-Lab Questions
this investigation.
1. Why do you need to clean magnesium metal with sandpaper before using it
• Wear a lab coat or apron
in this investigation?
throughout this investigation.
2. How could you set up this investigation to make the chemical reactions
Suggested Materials easier to see?
• 7 small pieces of each of the 3. Explain why you may need to repeat one or more of the reactions using
following metals: copper, Cu(s), a test tube, after first using the well plate.
magnesium, Mg(s), and zinc, Zn(s) 4. Identify the WHMIS symbols that apply to hydrochloric acid. What safety
• sandpaper or emery paper precautions are required when handling hydrochloric acid?
• dropper bottles containing dilute 5. Describe how you will properly dispose of the chemicals after this
solutions (0.1 mol/L) of copper(II) investigation.
sulfate, CuSO4(aq); zinc sulfate,
ZnSO4(aq); magnesium sulfate, Question
MgSO4(aq), tin(II) sulfate, What is the order of reactivity of the metals copper, iron, magnesium, tin, and
SnSO4(aq); iron(II) sulfate, zinc in single displacement reactions?
FeSO4(aq); and hydrochloric acid,
HCl(aq)
• 24-well reaction plate
• wash bottle with distilled water
• 6 test tubes
• test-tube rack

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Plan and Conduct Conclude and Communicate
1. Design a procedure to react each metal with each 3. Rank the metals you tested in order of reactivity,
of the given solutions, as well as with water. In your beginning with the most reactive metal. Include
procedure, identify the identities and amounts of the lithium in your ranking. (You have just created an
materials that you will need to combine and observe. activity series of metals.)
Prepare a data table to record your observations. 4. Explain how an activity series of metals can be used to
2. Have your teacher approve your procedure before predict single displacement reactions.
you begin. 5. Given that lithium reacts with water and that
3. Carry out your procedure. If any of the metals you magnesium does not, do you expect lithium to
are given appear dull (rather than shiny), remove react with hydrochloric acid? If so, write a balanced
this oxide coating using sandpaper or emery paper. chemical equation to represent the reaction.
4. Record any changes in the appearance of each metal 6. What evidence shows that hydrogen reacts differently
or solution. Look for colour changes on the surface in water than it does in hydrochloric acid?
of the metal or in the solution. If you have difficulty
determining whether a reaction has occurred, repeat Extend Further
the test using a test tube to better observe the reaction.
Remember that some chemical reactions are slow, 7. INQUIRY Imagine that you are given an unknown
so plan to re-examine any combinations that do not metal, which could be magnesium, zinc, or aluminum.
react immediately. Design an investigation involving single displacement
5. At the end of the investigation, dispose of the solutions reactions that would allow you to identify the
in the waste beaker provided. Do not pour anything unknown metal.
down the drain. 8. RESEARCH Use print or Internet resources to research
the use of sacrificial anodes. What are they? Where
Analyze and Interpret are they used? How do they work? Include balanced
1. For each single displacement reaction that occurred, chemical equations in your answer.
write the corresponding balanced chemical equation.
Keep in mind that hydrogen is a diatomic element.
2. Lithium metal reacts with water.
a. Is lithium more or less reactive than magnesium?
b. Write a balanced chemical equation to represent
the reaction of lithium with water.

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Inquiry 4-B
INVESTIGATION
Skill Check

✓
Initiating and Planning
Performing and Recording
Observing Double Displacement Reactions
A double displacement reaction involves the exchange of cations between ionic
✓ Analyzing and Interpreting
compounds, usually in an aqueous solution.
✓ Communicating
AX + BY → AY + BX
Most double displacement reactions result in the formation of a precipitate.
Safety Precautions Some double displacement reactions result in the formation of an unstable
compound that decomposes to water and a gas. The reaction between an acid
• Wear safety eyewear throughout and a base—neutralization—is a double displacement reaction in which a salt
this investigation. and water are formed.

• Tie back loose hair and clothing. Pre-Lab Questions

• Use EXTREME CAUTION when 1. Write a balanced chemical equation for each possible reaction in Table A.
you are near an open flame. If you do not think a precipitate will form, write “NR.”
• Wear a lab coat or apron 2. Carbonic acid, H2CO3(aq), decomposes into carbon dioxide, and water.
throughout this investigation. Ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH(aq), decomposes into ammonia and water.
Given this information, repeat question 1 for each potential reaction in
Materials Table B.
• dropper bottles containing dilute
3. Look up the MSDS information for the chemicals used in this investigation.
aqueous solutions (0.1 mol/L) of
Make a table to record the safety measures you should take when working
magnesium chloride, MgCl2(aq);
with these chemicals.
sodium hydroxide, NaOH(aq);
iron(III) chloride, FeCl3(aq); Questions
potassium chloride, KCl(aq);
How can you tell if a double displacement reaction has occurred?
sodium sulfate, Na2SO4(aq);
How can you predict the products of a double displacement reaction?
calcium chloride, CaCl2(aq);
silver nitrate, AgNO3(aq); Procedure
copper(II) sulfate, CuSO4(aq);
1. Copy Table A and Table B into your notebook.
sodium phosphate, Na3PO4(aq);
and hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq) Table A Double Displacement Reactions That May Form a Precipitate
• sheet of white paper Reactants in Aqueous Solutions Observations
• a few particles of sodium MgCl2(aq) + NaOH(aq)
carbonate, Na2CO3(s) FeCl3(aq) + NaOH(aq)
• wooden splint
KCl(aq) + Na2SO4(aq)
• a few particles of ammonium
CaCl2(aq) + AgNO3(aq)
chloride, NH4Cl(s)
CuSO4(aq) + Na3PO4(aq)
• red litmus paper
• 24-well reaction plate
Table B Double Displacement Reactions That May Form a Gas
• small scoop
Reactants Observations
• 2 beakers (50 mL)
Na2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq)
• tongs
NH4Cl(s) + NaOH(aq)
• 10 mL graduated cylinder
• Bunsen burner secured to a utility
stand
• igniter for Bunsen burner

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Conclude and Communicate
4. How did you know that a double displacement reaction
occurred?
a. What type of double displacement reaction may not
produce a visible product?
b. Illustrate your answer with an example of a reaction
that was not part of this investigation.

Extend Further

5. INQUIRY When aqueous aluminum bromide is added

Procedure
to aqueous potassium dichromate, a precipitate forms.
2. Place the reaction plate on the sheet of white paper.
(The formula for the dichromate ion is Cr2O 2-
7 .)
a. Write a balanced chemical equation to represent
this double displacement reaction.
b. The dichromate ion is not listed in your solubility
guidelines. How can you determine the identity of
the precipitate?
6. RESEARCH In the 1820s, Friedrich Wöhler, a German
physician, carried out a simple double displacement
reaction between aqueous silver isocyanate,
AgOCN(aq), and aqueous ammonium chloride.
Use the Internet to research Wöhler’s experiment.
a. Write a balanced chemical equation to represent
3. Carry out each reaction in Table A. If you are unsure this double displacement reaction. Use your
about your observations for a reaction, repeat the solubility guidelines to predict the precipitate.
reaction using a test tube for improved visibility. b. After the reaction, Wöhler used filtration to remove
4. Use the scoop to add a few particles of sodium the precipitate, which he discarded. He then
carbonate to a 50 mL beaker. Use the graduated evaporated the water from the resulting solution by
cylinder to add 10 mL of hydrochloric acid. When gentle heating. Wöhler found, to his surprise, that
the reaction subsides, lower a burning splint into the the crystals he obtained were not what he expected.
beaker to test the gas produced. What compound did he obtain?
5. Use the scoop to add a few particles of ammonium c. Why was Wöhler’s experiment so important?
chloride to a 50 mL beaker. Add about 2 mL of sodium
hydroxide solution. Waft your hand over the mouth
of the beaker, toward your nose, to detect any odour.
Holding the beaker with tongs, gently warm the
solution over the lit Bunsen burner. Hold a moistened
piece of red litmus paper in the fumes given off. Record
your observations in Table B.

Analyze and Interpret

1. How accurate were your predictions in Pre-Lab
question 1?
2. Explain how solubility guidelines can be used to
predict the formation of a precipitate.
3. What gases were formed in steps 3 and 4?
a. How were you able to identify each gas?
b. How well do your balanced chemical equations from
Pre-Lab question 2 support your observations?

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Inquiry 4-C
INVESTIGATION
Skill Check

✓
Initiating and Planning
Performing and Recording
Observing a Neutralization Reaction
Acid-base neutralization is a type of double displacement reaction. In general,
✓ Analyzing and Interpreting
it involves the reaction of an acid with a base, leading to the formation of a salt
✓ Communicating
and water. In this investigation, you will neutralize a sodium hydroxide solution
with hydrochloric acid. Then you will isolate and test the product.
Safety Precautions
Pre-Lab Questions
• Wear safety eyewear throughout 1. In step 4 of the Procedure, you will evaporate the solution to dryness.
this investigation. a. Why do you think you will need to swirl the solution as you do this?
b. Why will you need to use beaker tongs to hold the beaker when you are
• Tie back loose hair and clothing.
swirling the solution?
• Use EXTREME CAUTION when
2. What is the expected flame test colour for sodium chloride?
you are near an open flame.
3. Why will you need to carry out a flame test and a silver nitrate test on both
• Wear a lab coat or apron
a sample of the test-tube residue and a sample of sodium chloride?
throughout this investigation.
Question
Materials
What are the products of the neutralization of a sodium hydroxide solution with
• 25 mL of 0.10 mol/L sodium
hydrochloric acid?
hydroxide solution, NaOH(aq)
• phenolphthalein indicator solution
in a dropper bottle
• 5 mL of 1.0 mol/L hydrochloric
acid, HCl(aq), in a dropper bottle
• about 0.5 g of sodium chloride,
NaCl(s)
• distilled water
• silver nitrate solution, AgNO3(aq),
in a dropper bottle
• 25 mL graduated cylinder
• 250 mL beaker
• glass dropper or plastic pipette
• stirring rod
• hot plate, or retort stand, ring
clamp, and metal gauze (to use
with Bunsen burner)
• Bunsen burner secured to a utility
stand
• igniter for Bunsen burner
• test tube
• test-tube holder
• nichrome loop or water-soaked
wooden splint
• 50 mL beaker

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Procedure Conclude and Communicate
1. Using the graduated cylinder, add exactly 25 mL of 3. Explain how a neutralization reaction is a type of
0.10 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution to a 250 mL double displacement reaction.
beaker. Add two drops of phenolphthalein indicator
4. To a chemist, what does the term “salt” mean?
solution. Note the colour.
5. Explain why it is unsafe to taste the product of
2. Using the medicine dropper or plastic pipette, add
the neutralization of sodium hydroxide with
1.0 mol/L hydrochloric acid, one drop at a time, to
hydrochloric acid.
the sodium hydroxide solution. Stir the solution after
every few drops. 6. Write a balanced chemical equation to represent each
neutralization reaction.
3. As the colour of the solution begins to fade, stir after
a. H2SO4(aq) + Al(OH)3(aq) →
you add each drop of hydrochloric acid, until the
colour just disappears. This is the neutralization point. b. H3PO4(aq) + Ca(OH)2(aq) →

4. Transfer the solution to a test tube. With gentle heat,

either from a hot plate or a Bunsen burner, evaporate Extend Further
the solution to dryness. Keep moving the test tube
7. INQUIRY You performed this investigation
gently through the flame. Make sure that you hold the
qualitatively, but you could gain additional information
test tube with a test-tube holder.
by performing it quantitatively. You would need to
5. Record the colour of the residue in the test tube. Using make very careful measurements of the volumes of
either a nichrome loop or a water-soaked wooden the solutions used, however. Design a procedure to
splint, pick up a small crystal of the residue. Hold the determine the average volume of one drop from a
sample near the top of a Bunsen burner flame. Record medicine dropper or plastic pipette.
the colour of the flame.
8. RESEARCH Use print or Internet resources to research
6. Obtain about 0.5 g of sodium chloride in a 50 mL how antacids neutralize stomach acid. Include at least
beaker. Repeat the flame test using the sodium chloride one balanced chemical equation in your answer.
crystals. Record the colour of the flame.
7. Add a few millilitres of water to dissolve the solid
residue from the neutralization. Add a drop of silver
nitrate solution. Record your observations.
8. Repeat step 7 with the sodium chloride crystals.
Record your observations.

Analyze and Interpret

1. a. Compare the results of the flame tests you
performed.
b. Compare the results of the silver nitrate tests you
performed.
c. When the solution containing the neutralization
products was heated, what evaporated?
2. Use your answers for question 1 to write a balanced
chemical equation for the reaction of sodium
hydroxide with hydrochloric acid.

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Inquiry 4-D
INVESTIGATION
Skill Check

✓
Initiating and Planning
Performing and Recording
Modelling Neutralization Reactions Used in
✓ Analyzing and Interpreting Scrubber Technology
✓ Communicating In a submarine or spacecraft, exhaled carbon dioxide, CO2(g), needs to be
removed, or “scrubbed,” from the air. A simple way to do this is to allow the
Safety Precautions carbon dioxide to react with a base to form a solid. One method used in
submarines and the International Space Station is to use lithium hydroxide
monohydrate, LiOH · H2O(s), to remove carbon dioxide according to the
• Wear safety eyewear throughout
following chemical equation:
this investigation.
2LiOH · H2O(s) + CO2(g) → Li2CO3(s) + 3H2O(g)
• Wear a lab coat or apron In this investigation, you will exhale into limewater, Ca(OH)2(aq), a basic
throughout this investigation. solution, to convert the carbon dioxide in your breath into a precipitate of
• Use clean drinking straws in calcium carbonate, CaCO3(s), through a neutralization reaction.
this investigation. Get the straws
from your teacher when they are
needed. Do not let them touch the
lab bench.

Materials
• 200 mL of distilled water
• bromothymol blue indicator in a
dropper bottle
• 200 mL of freshly prepared
limewater, Ca(OH)2(aq)
• 2 Erlenmeyer flasks (250 mL)
• 2 clean drinking straws

When a submarine is submerged in the ocean, scrubber technology is used to

remove excess carbon dioxide from the air that the crew breathes.

Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the purpose of the bromothymol blue indicator in this investigation?
2. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of carbon dioxide gas
with water to produce carbonic acid, H2CO3(aq).
3. What safety precautions should you take when handling a caustic substance,
such as limewater?

Questions
How can a solution of limewater remove carbon dioxide from the air?
How does this reaction model modern gas scrubbers?

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Procedure Extend Further
1. Add about 200 mL of distilled water to a 250 mL
Erlenmeyer flask. Add three drops of bromothymol 5. INQUIRY Introducing carbon dioxide into a limewater
blue indicator. solution produces cloudiness, which you observed.
2. To another 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, add 200 mL What would occur if carbon dioxide was allowed to
of freshly prepared limewater. Add three drops of bubble through a limewater solution for a considerable
bromothymol blue indicator. length of time? If you have access to dry ice (frozen
carbon dioxide), investigate this. Record your
3. Using a clean drinking straw, exhale into the flask
observations and, with the help of external resources,
containing the distilled water. Record the number of
interpret your observations using a chemical equation.
seconds required to turn the solution yellow.
6. RESEARCH Various devices are being proposed and
4. Repeat step 3 for the limewater solution. Continue
prototyped to capture and remove carbon dioxide
to exhale into the solution for up to 15 s. Carefully
from the air.
observe the solution in terms of colour and cloudiness.
Record your observations. a. Research one of these devices, and explain how it
works.
Analyze and Interpret b. Describe one major advantage and one major
1. a. How long, in seconds, did it take for your exhaled disadvantage of the device.
breath to make pure water acidic? c. Find out what happens to the carbon dioxide that is
b. What can you conclude about the product of the captured by the device.
reaction between carbon dioxide and water?
2. Did 15 s of exhaling into a limewater solution have
a noticeable effect on the acidity of the limewater
solution?
3. Write a balanced chemical equation to support your
answer to question 2.

Conclude and Communicate

4. a. What was the role of the calcium hydroxide in the
limewater, in relation to carbon dioxide?
b. Explain how this reaction models modern scrubber
technology.

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Inquiry 4-E
INVESTIGATION
Skill Check

✓
Initiating and Planning
Performing and Recording
From Copper to Copper
You have learned about several different types of chemical reactions, including
✓ Analyzing and Interpreting
synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, and double displacement
✓ Communicating
reactions. In this investigation, you will follow copper through a sequence
of reactions, which will eventually produce metallic copper again.
Safety Precautions
Pre-Lab Questions
• Wear safety eyewear throughout The following chemical equations represent the reactions that you will observe
this investigation. in this investigation:

• Wear a lab coat or apron A. Cu(s) + 4HNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2H2O()

throughout this investigation.
B. Cu(NO3)2 + NaOH → Cu(OH)2 + NaNO3
• Make sure that the electrical cord
C. Cu(OH)2 → CuO + H2O
of the hot plate is not dangling over
the edge of the work area. Unplug D. CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O
the hot plate when it is not in use. E. CuSO4 + Zn → Cu + ZnSO4
• Sodium hydroxide can cause
blindness if it gets in the eyes. 1. a. Copy equations A to E into your notebook. Balance equations B through E.
• NaOH and H2SO4 solutions are b. Include the physical state (s, , aq, g) of each reactant and product in
corrosive. If you spill one of these equations B through E. Refer to the solubility guidelines as needed.
solutions on your skin, immediately 2. What type of chemical reaction is represented by each equation
wash the area with plenty of cold (A through E) above?
water. Inform your teacher. 3. When testing the acidity or alkalinity of a solution with litmus paper, why
• Dispose of solutions according to do you need to use a glass rod to place a drop of the solution on a piece of
your teacher’s directions. litmus paper, rather than simply putting the litmus paper into the solution?
4. Read the safety precautions listed on the left side of this page. Identify the
Materials
reasoning behind each precaution.
• about 4 mL of 0.4 mol/L copper(II)
nitrate solution, Cu(NO3)2(aq) Question
• 6 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution, What type of chemical reaction is involved in each step of the conversion
NaOH(aq), in a dropper bottle of copper to copper?
• red litmus paper
Procedure
• 3 mol/L sulfuric acid, H2SO4(aq),
in dropping bottle Reaction A: Reaction of Copper with Nitric Acid to Form Copper(II) Nitrate

• about 0.8 g of powdered zinc, Zn(s) 1. Examine the reaction in the photograph. Record your observations.
Identify the gas and solution formed.
• 50 mL beaker
• glass rod
• hot plate
• wash bottle with distilled water The reaction of copper with
concentrated nitric acid gives off
• 250 mL beaker with water and one heat. A poisonous gas is released.
or two ice cubes (ice-water bath)

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Reaction B: Preparation of Copper(II) Hydroxide Analyze and Interpret
2. Obtain about 4 mL of 0.4 mol/L copper(II) nitrate 1. Think about step 6 in the Procedure.
solution in a 50 mL beaker. Add 6 mol/L sodium a. Explain why zinc reacts with sulfuric acid, but
hydroxide solution one drop at a time, to the beaker copper does not.
until the solution is basic. To test the alkalinity of the b. Explain why magnesium could be used instead of
solution, use the glass rod to transfer a drop of the zinc, but sodium could not.
solution to the red litmus paper. (Do not put the litmus c. Explain why powdered zinc was used instead of a
paper in the solution.) Red litmus paper turns blue in a lump of zinc.
basic solution. Record your observations. 2. If this investigation started with 0.10 g of copper
Reaction C: Preparation of Copper(II) Oxide metal in reaction A, what mass of copper should be
3. Heat the solution formed in reaction B on a hot plate, recovered at the end of reaction E?
constantly stirring with a glass rod, until all the pale 3. Explain why reaction A is not a double displacement
blue precipitate reacts to form a black precipitate. Use reaction.
a wash bottle to rinse any pale blue precipitate from 4. Suggest a procedure you could use to recover the
the walls of the beaker, using as little water as possible. copper(II) oxide.
Constantly stir or swirl any precipitate-containing 5. At the end of step 6, what dissolved ions are present in
solution that is being heated to avoid a sudden boiling significant quantities?
over, or bumping.
4. Cool the beaker containing the black precipitate in an Conclude and Communicate
ice-water bath for several minutes, until the outside of 6. Summarize this investigation using a flowchart.
the beaker feels cold. Include balanced chemical equations in your flowchart.
If possible, identify the type of reaction beside each
Reaction D: Preparation of Copper(II) Sulfate Solution
equation.
5. Carefully add 3 mol/L sulfuric acid, one drop at a
time, to the cold mixture until the black precipitate
just dissolves. (CAUTION: Sulfuric acid is corrosive.) Extend Further
Avoid adding more sulfuric acid than necessary.
7. INQUIRY Do you think you could perform this type
Record your observations.
of reaction sequence with zinc, so that you began and
Reaction E: Regeneration of the Copper Metal ended with zinc? Design a procedure, based on the
6. Carefully add about 0.80 g of powdered zinc to the procedure you used for copper. Include a balanced
solution of copper(II) sulfate. Stir or swirl the solution chemical equation for each step. If your teacher
until the blue colour disappears. Add more zinc if approves your procedure, carry out the reactions.
necessary. Record your observations. 8. RESEARCH Use print or Internet resources to research
the compound(s) responsible for the formation of the
green coating, or patina, on old copper roofs. Does this
patina lead to the type of rusting exhibited by iron?

The copper produced in reaction E is called

“spongy” copper, because of its appearance.

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STSE

Case Study
Smelting Emissions
Determining Acceptable Levels of Risk from Exposure

Scenario

Suppose that you live in a community that is home to one of Health Effects
Canada’s 15 base metal smelters. Base metal smelting produces Some nickel oxides, sulfides, and other nickel compounds
common useful metals, such as zinc, lead, copper, and nickel, can be released during the processing of nickel. Breathing in
from metal ores. It is an important industry in Canada. However, nickel and its compounds has been associated with chronic
harmful chemicals, such as nickel sulfides and oxides, cadmium, bronchitis and certain cancers.
arsenic, sulfur dioxide, and mercury, can be released into the Many of the substances that are emitted by base metal
environment during smelting. These chemicals can endanger smelters are listed as toxic by the Canadian Environmental
the health and safety of local populations. Protection Act. The goal of the act is to protect the environment
The smelter in your community has become controversial. and human health by reducing or almost eliminating
Some of the people in your community are concerned about certain toxic substances in the environment. However,
their exposure to toxic chemical emissions. You have joined some people think that the standards in the act are not
an organization whose goal is to reduce air, soil, and water strict enough. For example, several chemicals that are
pollution in Canada. The organization is interested in finding released by base metal smelters are thought to increase
out more about base metal smelting and the industry’s effects the risk of cancer at any level of exposure, no matter how
on the environment and human health. As a member of the small. Many people agree that there should be no risk of
organization, you have volunteered to research this issue. exposure to these chemicals.
What Is Base Metal Smelting? Economics
Base metal smelting involves industrial processes that use Some people think that pressure from the base metal
chemical reactions at high temperatures and pressures to smelting industry has prevented the government from
recover base metals from their ores. For example, heat and providing strict standards emissions. The smelting industry
chemicals are used to extract nickel from crushed ore. Once employs thousands of Canadians and contributes billions
the nickel is separated from other metals in the ore, it is of dollars to the economy. Many smelters are located in
present as nickel(II) sulfate, NiSO4(aq). The nickel(II) sulfate is remote areas. Finding other types of employment in these
then reacted with hydrogen gas under high temperatures and areas can be challenging. Smelting companies argue that
pressures to produce nickel metal, according to the following setting stricter limits on emissions would cause them to lose
single displacement reaction: business to competitors in other countries, which would
result in job losses in local communities. They also argue that
NiSO4() + H2(g) → Ni(s) + H2SO4()
improved technologies and processes have already reduced
emissions significantly.

Base metal smelting uses chemical reactions

to separate common metals from their ores.
The facility shown in this photograph is
located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

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Research and Analyze
1. Research the health effects of some of the
chemicals that are released to the environment
from base metal smelters, including cadmium,
arsenic, sulfur dioxide, and mercury. What factors
influence the effects of exposure to a harmful
chemical? What segments of a local population
might be most vulnerable to the negative effects
of exposure to toxic smelter emissions?

2. Research base metal smelting in Ontario. What

metals do Ontario smelters process? How do the
smelters contribute to Ontario’s economy? Where
are they located? What specific information can
Fact Sheet you find about the positive and negative effects of
some of these smelters?
Metals and Their Uses 3. What level of risk from exposure to harmful smelter
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TUSFOHUI BOESFTJT
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SFTGSPN
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s Released from the
Percentage of Canadian Emission 2002
2. Act Prepare a report based on your findings.
Base Metal Smelting Sector in
Provide recommendations that might help
Canadian Percent
Base Metal to reduce or eliminate the exposure of local
Smelting* Total** Emissions (%)
Substance Units populations to toxic emissions from base metal
153
Arsenic* UPOOFT smelters. Support your recommendations with
31 33 information from credible sources.
Cadmium UPOOFT
196 223 88
Lead UPOOFT
58
LH
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258
Nickel UPOOFT
2
Total particulate UPOOFT
matter

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Chapter 4 SUMMARY

Section 4.1 Single Displacement Reactions

In a single displacement reaction, an element • The general form for single displacement reactions in
displaces a less active element in a compound. which a metal displaces another metal, where A and B are
metals, is A + BX → AX + B. The general form for single
KEY TERMS displacement reactions in which a non-metal displaces
• activity series another non-metal, where X and Y are non-metals, is
• single displacement reaction AX + Y → X + AY.
• An activity series lists elements in order, from most reactive
KEY CONCEPTS to least reactive.
• In a single displacement reaction, one element replaces
• The activity series of metals and the activity series
another element in a compound to produce a new element
of halogens are used to predict whether a single
and a new compound.
displacement reaction will occur.
• A single displacement reaction can only occur when an
uncombined element is higher in an activity series than the
element it would replace in a compound.

Section 4.2 Double Displacement Reactions

In a double displacement reaction, ions of two ionic • The general form of a double displacement reaction is
compounds trade places to form new compounds. AX + BY → AY + BX.
• A double displacement reaction generally produces a
KEY TERMS
precipitate, a gas, or water.
• double displacement reaction
• Solubility guidelines can be used to predict whether
• neutralization
a product of a double displacement reaction will be a
• precipitate precipitate.
• Neutralization occurs when there is a double displacement
KEY CONCEPTS
reaction between an acid and a base. Water is a product of
• In a double displacement reaction, the positive ions in two
neutralization.
compounds trade places to form two new compounds.

Section 4.3 Reactions in Industry

Many chemical reactions are used in industrial • One method for refining copper involves several reactions
processes and for cleaning up hazardous waste. in which oxygen displaces sulfur in an ore.
• After gold is leached from crushed rock using cyanide, it is
KEY TERMS
recovered from the solution through displacement by zinc.
• leaching
• The sulfur dioxide gas that is produced during metal
• matte
refining can be collected and converted into sulfuric acid,
through synthesis reactions, to prevent its release into the
KEY CONCEPTS
atmosphere.
• A thermite reaction, used to weld railroad tracks, is a single
displacement reaction between aluminum and iron oxide. • Sodium hypochlorite and iron(II) sulfate can be used to
treat a toxic cyanide spill, making the spill less toxic.
• Extracting magnesium from seawater involves several
chemical reactions, including a double displacement
reaction that forms a magnesium hydroxide precipitate and
a neutralization reaction that forms soluble magnesium
chloride.

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Chapter 4 REVIEW

Knowledge and Understanding 7. When the following pairs of substances react, which
Circle the letter of the best answer below. pair is likely to have water as a product?
a. AgBr(aq) + NaCl(aq)
1. Which metal is the most reactive?
b. NaI(aq) + K2CO3(aq)
a. aluminum
c. Ca(OH)2(aq) + AgClO3(aq)
b. copper
d. NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq)
c. sodium
e. Mg(ClO3)2(aq) + HNO3(aq)
d. gold
e. iron 8. Which process occurs during the mining of
magnesium from seawater, but is not a chemical
2. What is produced during a neutralization reaction?
reaction?
a. water
a. The formation of liquid magnesium metal from
b. a precipitate
liquid magnesium chloride.
c. oxygen
b. The formation of liquid magnesium chloride from
d. a metal solid magnesium chloride.
e. a non-metal c. The formation of a solution of magnesium chloride
3. Which metal does not react with hydrochloric acid? from solid magnesium hydroxide.
a. chromium d. The formation of solid calcium oxide from solid
b. copper calcium carbonate.
c. sodium e. The formation of aqueous calcium hydroxide from
d. magnesium solid calcium oxide.
e. zinc Answer the questions below.
4. Which compound could be a precipitate in a double 9. Which family of metals tends to form soluble ionic
displacement reaction? compounds?
a. sodium bromide 10. What is the least reactive metal that can still displace
b. copper(II) nitrate hydrogen from cold water?
c. calcium acetate 11. How does a decomposition reaction result in the
d. lead(II) sulfate formation of a gas in a double displacement reaction?
e. potassium chloride
12. Compare the reactivity of bromine with the reactivities
5. Which reactants would likely form a solid product? of the other halogens.
a. NH4Br(aq) + NaOH(aq) 13. What type of chemical spill could be cleaned up using
b. HI(aq) + K2CO3(aq) a neutralization reaction?
c. ZnCl2(aq) + AgNO3(aq)
14. Oxygen is an important reactant in many industrial
d. NaOH(aq) + HClO3(aq) processes.
e. Mg(OH)2(aq) + HNO3(aq)
a. Which metal is most dependent on oxygen in its
6. Which compound is used to leach gold from its ore? production?
a. iron(II) sulfate b. Explain your reasoning.
b. zinc metal
15. What is the general form of a single displacement
c. sodium hypochlorite reaction that involves halogens?
d. sodium cyanide
16. What type of solid material is likely to be a reactant in
e. oxygen
a single displacement reaction?

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Chapter 4 REVIEW

Thinking and Investigation 23. Determine the products that are formed in the double
17. Describe what you would expect to see if you placed a displacement reaction between each pair of reactants,
piece of potassium in an aqueous solution of lithium and write a balanced chemical equation. Identify the
chloride. Explain your reasoning. states of the products. One of the products in each
reaction will be a precipitate, a gas, or liquid water.
18. Suppose that you observed the reaction that is shown
a. potassium sulfate and barium bromide
in the photograph during an investigation.
b. nitric acid (aqueous hydrogen nitrate) and lithium
a. What is the solid material called?
carbonate
b. What type of reaction is most likely occurring?
c. copper(II) bromide and sodium hydroxide
d. rubidium sulfide and lead(II) nitrate
e. ammonium sulfate and potassium hydroxide
f. iron(II) bromide and silver nitrate
g. lithium hydroxide and sulfuric acid
(hydrogen sulfate)
24. Samples of an unknown metal, X, are placed in several
solutions, and the results are recorded in the table
below. Based on the results, determine the relative
reactivity of the unknown metal compared with the
metals in the solutions used.
Observations
19. Classify each displacement reaction.
a. RbCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → RbNO3(aq) + AgCl(s) Solution Result
b. Zn(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s) aluminum nitrate no reaction
c. Br2() + 2KI(aq) → I2(s) + 2KBr(aq) nickel(II) nitrate nickel metal formed
d. Pb(CH3COO)2(aq) + 2NaCl(aq) → calcium nitrate no reaction
2Na(CH3COO)2(aq) + PbCl2(s)
25. Aluminum sulfate is used in water purification. It is
20. Using the appropriate activity series, write a balanced
added to water to cause small particles to form larger
chemical equation for each single displacement
clumps. The clumps then settle to the bottom of large
reaction. If you predict that no reaction will occur,
tanks, such as the ones shown in the photograph. Write
write “NR.”
balanced chemical equations to show how aluminum
a. Mg(s) + Co(NO3)3(aq) →
sulfate can be produced from a single displacement
b. Cl2(g) + LiBr(aq) →
reaction and from a double displacement reaction.
c. Zn(s) + HClO4(aq) →
d. Ni(s) + Cd(NO3)3(aq) →
e. Al(s) + NiCl2(aq) →
f. K(s) + H2O() →
g. Cl2(g) + CaF2(aq) →
21. Describe how you would conduct an investigation to
determine an activity series for a group of metals.
22. The following reactions occur during the smelting
of copper:
2CuFeS2(s) + 4O2(g) → Cu2S() + 2FeO() + 3SO2(g)
2FeS() + 3O2(g) → 2FeO() + 2SO2(g)
2FeS2() + 9O2(g) → 2FeO() + 4SO2(g)
a. Based on these reactions, compare the reactivities
of oxygen and sulfur.
b. Explain your reasoning.

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Communication Application
26. Chemicals react in predictable ways. 34. Describe a procedure for using a displacement reaction
Describe the process in which ammonia gas to produce a sample of the element copper. Explain
forms from a double displacement reaction. Provide your reasoning.
balanced chemical equations to illustrate your answer. 35. During the final stage of magnesium production,
27. Using a Venn diagram, compare single displacement the electrolysis of magnesium chloride, the toxic gas
reactions with double displacement reactions. chlorine is produced. Use print or Internet resources
28. Explain why no reaction occurs if a double to determine how the chlorine gas can be put to use
displacement reaction does not produce a precipitate, within the magnesium production process so that it
a gas, or water. does not require disposal.
29. Chemical reactions and their applications 36. Iron(II) sulfate is used to treat cyanide spills. Based
have significant implications for society and on the reactions that lead to the precipitation of the
the environment. Imagine that you are writing a cyanide as a complex iron(II) cyanide ion, explain why
newspaper article about the use of cyanide to recover the correct amount of iron(II) sulfate must be used for
gold at a local mine. What are some points for and the cyanide ions to be successfully removed.
against the use of cyanide? 37. Using print or Internet resources, research the causes
30. Imagine that you are a producer for a radio science and hazards of acid mine drainage. Imagine that a
show. Write a script for a podcast to describe what retaining wall around a tailings pile breaks after a week
occurs when zinc metal is placed into a solution of of heavy rains, and the rainwater that had collected is
hydrochloric acid. released.
31. The photograph below shows a Roman aqueduct a. Explain why there might be a concern that ions of
made from a series of arches with a channel on top metals, such as lead, nickel, and cadmium, have also
to carry water. The aqueduct had a slight downward been released.
slope to allow the water to run downhill. Once the b. Describe the training an engineer would need
water reached a city, pipes carried it throughout the to have to determine how to mitigate hazards
city. Lead was often used to make the water pipes. In a associated with acid drainage at a particular mine.
brief paragraph, describe the health concern related to 38. Magnesium phosphate provides the human body with
displacement reactions that is associated with the use the minerals magnesium and phosphorus. How could
of lead water pipes. solid magnesium phosphate be prepared and collected,
using hydrochloric acid, sodium phosphate solution,
water, and magnesium metal?
a. Write a clear step-by-step procedure.
b. Include a balanced chemical equation for each
reaction you suggest.
39. Sodium hydrogen carbonate, commonly known as
baking soda, is used in recipes that include an acidic
ingredient.
a. Describe the reaction that occurs.
b. Explain why sodium hydrogen carbonate is used.
40. Acid indigestion can result from the overproduction
32. One of your friends does not understand how to of hydrochloric acid. A traditional remedy for treating
predict whether a single displacement reaction will acid indigestion is drinking a glass of baking soda
occur. Write an explanation to help your friend. (sodium hydrogen carbonate) dissolved in water.
33. Summarize your learning in this chapter using Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction
a graphic organizer. To help you, the Chapter 4 that occurs.
Summary lists the Key Terms and Key Concepts. Refer
to Using Graphic Organizers in Appendix A to help
you decide which graphic organizer to use.

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Chapter 4 SELFASSESSMENT

Select the letter of the best answer below. 7. T/I Which observation would you not expect to

1. K/U Magnesium is involved in several reactions as make during the reaction of sodium with water?
it is mined from seawater. How would you classify a. bubbling
these reactions? b. a precipitate forming
a. synthesis c. a popping sound when testing with a burning splint
b. decomposition and single displacement d. the sodium disappearing
c. combustion, double displacement, and e. red litmus turning blue
decomposition 8. K/U Which of the following groups of metals
d. combustion and synthesis contains only metals that cannot react to produce
e. double displacement and decomposition hydrogen gas during a displacement reaction?
2. K/U Which reactants would likely form carbon a. silver, gold, mercury
dioxide gas? b. copper, tin, zinc
a. NH4Cl(aq) + KOH(aq) c. lithium, barium, calcium
b. HCl(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) d. potassium, aluminum, platinum
c. ZnCl2(aq) + K2CO3(aq) e. gold, silver, iron
d. NaOH(aq) + HClO3(aq) 9. C Which statement describes what happens when
e. Mg(s) + H2CO3(aq) a precipitate forms?
3. K/U Which metal reacts with hydrochloric acid but a. A metal displaces a less reactive metal from a
not with water? solution.
a. barium b. Positive ions switch places, and a compound breaks
b. copper down.
c. sodium c. Negative ions switch places, and an insoluble
d. silver compound forms.
e. zinc d. A halogen displaces iodine from a solution.
e. An acid and a base react to form liquid water.
4. K/U Which reactants would likely form a solid
product? 10. K/U Which ion is least likely to be found in a

a. KOH(aq) + NH4Cl(aq) precipitate?

b. HCl(aq) + Zn(s) a. iodide
c. Na2CO3(aq) + HClO3(aq) b. silver
d. ZnCl2(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) c. phosphate
e. Mg(s) + HNO3(aq) d. nitrate
e. calcium
5. T/I Which materials do not react with each other?
a. Cr(s) + CdCl2(aq) Use sentences and diagrams, as appropriate, to answer the
b. Fe(s) + AlCl3(aq) questions below.
c. NaCl(aq) + F2(g) 11. K/U Classify each displacement reaction based on

d. AgNO3(aq) + Cu(s) the reactants shown.

e. Cl2(g) + NiBr2(aq) a. LiCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) →
b. Ag(s) + CuNO3(aq) →
6. T/I Which chemical does not form a precipitate
when it is added to a sodium phosphate solution? c. Cl2(g) + KI(aq) →
a. lead(II) nitrate d. Pb(NO3)2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) →
b. calcium acetate 12. T/I Predict the products that are formed in each
c. silver chlorate reaction in question 11, and write a balanced chemical
d. potassium nitrate equation for the reaction. If you predict that no
reaction will occur, write “NR.”
e. magnesium chloride
13. C Write instructions for using the periodic table to
determine whether a single displacement reaction that
involves halogens will occur.

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14. A Several drops of sodium sulfate solution are 23. A Underwater photographers often use a
added to a sample of water to test for contaminants. rebreather to prevent bubbles from interfering with
The possible contaminants in the water are sodium their work. A rebreather removes carbon dioxide from
nitrate, calcium chloride, and lead(II) acetate. their exhaled air through a series of chemical reactions.
a. Which of these contaminants might be present if a The carbon dioxide is converted into carbonic acid,
precipitate forms? H2CO3(aq), which then reacts with sodium hydroxide
b. Write the balanced chemical equation for the to form a product that reacts with calcium hydroxide.
reaction that involves this contaminant. a. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction
15. T/I Identify the errors in each equation, and then between carbonic acid and sodium hydroxide.
write the correct balanced chemical equation. b. What two terms can be used to describe this
a. 2K(s) + H2O(aq) → K2O(aq) + H2(g) reaction?
b. 2LiCl(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) → LiNO3(s) + PbCl2(aq) c. Write a balanced chemical equation for the final
reaction in the rebreather.
16. C While researching chemical reactions online, a
student encounters a site that makes the following
statement: “Double displacement reactions occur when
the anions of two ionic compounds switch partners.”
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
17. K/U Why is sulfur dioxide often a by-product of
metal refining?
18. K/U Why can a single displacement reaction not
occur in the reverse direction?
19. T/I The results of two laboratory tests are given
below:
CX + B → BX + C
A + CX → no reaction
Use these results to write an activity series for metals
A, B, and C.
20. A Hard water contains large amounts of dissolved
calcium and magnesium ions. When soap is used with
hard water, a solid soap scum forms on surfaces, such
as sinks and bathtubs.
a. What term describes the formation of soap scum?
b. How would you classify the reaction that results in 24. C Give two meanings of the term “precipitation,”
the formation of soap scum? and explain how each meaning is associated with
chemical reactions.
21. C Describe the process of neutralization in terms
of the types of reactants used, the type of reaction that 25. K/U Which halogen could not be isolated during a

occurs, and the products that form. displacement reaction?

22. C Describe what happens during leaching, and
explain why leaching can be both helpful and harmful.

Self-Check
If you 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
missed
question …
Review 4.3 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.1, 4.1, 4.1 4.2 4.1, 4.2 4.3 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.1
section(s)… 4.2 4.2 4.2

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