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Difficulty: MediumChemical Reactions and Compounds
When clear aqueous solutions of silver nitrate (AgNO3AgNO_3) and sodium chloride (NaClNaCl) are mixed, an insoluble white solid of silver chloride (AgClAgCl) immediately forms and precipitates out of the solution, leaving dissolved sodium nitrate (NaNO3NaNO_3):
AgNO3+NaCl→AgCl+NaNO3AgNO_3 + NaCl \rightarrow AgCl + NaNO_3
Which type of chemical reaction is represented by this process?
  1. A
    Single replacement reaction
  2. Double replacement reactionAnswer
  3. C
    Decomposition reaction
  4. D
    Physical phase change

Answer

Double replacement reaction
In a double replacement (or double displacement) reaction, two ionic compounds in aqueous solution exchange partner ions to form two new compounds. Here, silver cations (Ag+Ag^+) combine with chloride anions (Cl−Cl^-) to form an insoluble solid precipitate of silver chloride (AgClAgCl), while sodium ions (Na+Na^+) and nitrate ions (NO3−NO_3^-) remain in solution as sodium nitrate (NaNO3NaNO_3).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the reactants and products in the chemical equation.
The reaction begins with two aqueous ionic compounds, silver nitrate (AgNO3AgNO_3) and sodium chloride (NaClNaCl), and produces two distinct compounds, solid silver chloride (AgClAgCl) and aqueous sodium nitrate (NaNO3NaNO_3).
Identifying the number and chemical nature of reactant and product species is essential to determining the reaction archetype.
2
Track how the ions rearrange during the reaction.
The silver cation (Ag+Ag^+) switches partners from nitrate (NO3−NO_3^-) to chloride (Cl−Cl^-), while the sodium cation (Na+Na^+) switches from chloride to nitrate.
Observing a mutual exchange of ion partners between two compounds confirms that an ion-exchange process has taken place.
3
Match the observed ion exchange with standard chemical reaction classifications.
A reaction of the general form AB+CD→AD+CBAB + CD \rightarrow AD + CB in which two ionic compounds exchange ions to form a precipitate is classified as a double replacement (double displacement) reaction.
Classifying the reaction distinguishes it from synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and physical state transitions.

Key Concept

Double replacement reactions occur when the cations and anions of two aqueous ionic compounds exchange places, frequently driven by the formation of an insoluble solid precipitate, a gas, or water.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Chemical Reactions and Compounds

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