In a double displacement reaction, what occurs?

In a double displacement reaction, what occurs?

• A. The positive ion of one compound replaces the positive ion of the other
• B. A metal displaces hydrogen
• C. A hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen
• D. Electrons are transferred between reactants

Answer: (A)

In a double displacement reaction, two ionic compounds in solution exchange their partners. The cation from one compound swaps with the cation from the other, so the positive ions end up paired with the opposite anions, forming two new compounds (often one of which may precipitate, form a gas, or be a neutralization product). For example, mixing NaCl and AgNO3 gives AgCl (a solid) and NaNO3, as the ions reorganize into new compounds. The other descriptions refer to different reaction types: a metal displacing hydrogen is a single displacement reaction; a hydrocarbon reacting with oxygen is combustion; electrons transferring between reactants describes a redox process.

In a double displacement reaction, two ionic compounds in solution exchange their partners. The cation from one compound swaps with the cation from the other, so the positive ions end up paired with the opposite anions, forming two new compounds (often one of which may precipitate, form a gas, or be a neutralization product). For example, mixing NaCl and AgNO3 gives AgCl (a solid) and NaNO3, as the ions reorganize into new compounds. The other descriptions refer to different reaction types: a metal displacing hydrogen is a single displacement reaction; a hydrocarbon reacting with oxygen is combustion; electrons transferring between reactants describes a redox process.