Question

What is the difference between displacement and double displacement reactions? Write equations for these reactions.

Answer 1

In a displacement reaction, a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element from a compound.

For Example: \[\ce{Zn_{(s)} + CuSO4_{(aq)} -> ZnSO4_{(aq)} + Cu_{(s)}}\]

In a double displacement reaction, two atoms or a group of atoms switch places to form new compounds.

For Example: in the reaction between barium chloride and sulphuric acid, barium chloride exchanges its \[\ce{Cl−}\] ions with \[\ce{SO^{2-}4}\] ions of \[\ce{H2SO4}\].

\[\ce{BaCl2_{(aq)} + H2SO4_{(aq)} -> BaSO4_{(s)} + 2HCl_{(aq)}}\]

Answer 2

Displacement Reaction	Double Displacement Reaction
A displacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which a metal is displaced from its solution by another more reactive metal than the metal being displaced.	A double displacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which ions are exchanged between both reactants.
Example: \[\ce{Zn + CuSO4 -> ZnSO4 + Cu}\] Here, Zinc (Zn), which is more reactive than Cu, displaces copper from its solution.	Example: \[\ce{Na2SO4 + BaCl2 -> BaSO4 + 2NaCl}\] Here, both \[\ce{Na2SO4}\] and \[\ce{BaCl2}\] exchange their ions.