Double Replacement Reaction
A double replacement reaction is a chemical reaction where two compounds exchange positive ions with each other to form two new compounds. It can be represented by the general chemical equation:
AB + CD → AD + CB
Where A and C are cations and B and D are anions.
Example
An example of a double replacement reaction is the reaction between silver nitrate (AgNO3) and sodium chloride (NaCl) to form silver chloride (AgCl) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3):
AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3
Key Points to Remember
- Double replacement reactions occur between compounds in aqueous solutions.
- The cations and anions in the reactants switch partners to form new compounds.
- Double replacement reactions often result in the formation of a precipitate (solid) or a gas.
- The net ionic equation for a double replacement reaction only includes the ions that participate in the reaction.
Study Guide
When studying double replacement reactions, it's important to understand the following concepts:
- Identifying the cations and anions in compounds.
- Understanding solubility rules to predict whether a precipitate will form in a double replacement reaction.
- Balancing chemical equations for double replacement reactions.
- Writing net ionic equations to represent the ions involved in the reaction.
[Double Replacement Reaction] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
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Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
PHYSICAL SCIENCE (NGSS)
Matter and Its Interactions
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
Energy
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperature are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).