Single Replacement Reaction
Name______________________
Problem: How can the products of a chemical reaction be determined?
Background: There are five basic types of chemical reactions: synthesis, decomposition, single
displacement, double displacement and combustion. In a single displacement reaction one element in a
compound is replaced by a single element. The single element is more reactive than the element it
replaces. Single replacement reactions have a compound and single element as reactants and a new
compound and another single element as products. Here are two examples of a single replacement
reaction:
2Al(s)
+
Fe2O3(s) → 2Fe(s) + Al2O3(s)
2KBr(aq) + Cl2(aq) →
2KCl(aq)
+
Br2(aq)
Notice that the metal replaces a metal in the first reaction and the nonmetal replaces the nonmetal in the
second. Metals must replace metals and nonmetals must replace nonmetals. Keep in mind that the metal
must be written first in the formula of a compound.
Copper sulfate forms blue solutions when mixed with water. Iron compound solutions are usually red,
orange or reddish yellow. Copper metal has a bronze reddish color and iron metal is silver.
Materials: Copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4 • 5H2O), 2- 250 ml beaker, 6 penny common nail (not
cement coated or galvanized), steel wool, graduated cylinder, tongs, and scoopula
Hypothesis: What are the products of the reaction of copper sulfate and iron? (Your answer is the
hypothesis)
Objective:
Students will be able to determine if a reaction is a single displacement and how to predict the products of a
single replacement reaction.
Procedure:
DAY ONE
1. Use the steel wool to clean the nail. You want the nail to be as shiny as possible.
2. Mass the nail and record the mass in the data section.
3. Use the balance to measure approximately 5.0 g of copper sulfate pentahydrate.
Record this amount in the data section. (this has already been done for you the copper sulfate is in
the cup)
4. Put the 5.0 g of Copper sulfate pentahydrate into the beaker
5. Use the graduated cylinder to measure 100.0 ml of water.
6. Pour the water in the beaker with the copper sulfate pentahydrate. You now have a
copper sulfate solution. Describe this solution in the data section.
7. Put the nail in the beaker with the copper sulfate pentahydrate solution.
8. Write your names on a label and put it on the beaker.
9. Store your beaker in the area designated by the teacher.
DAY TWO
1. Observe your beaker and record your observation in the data section. Make note of
any changes (color, thickness, residue, etc.) from the day before.
2. Use tongs to remove the nail. Scrape any residue form the nail back into the beaker
using a scoopula. Dry the nail off.
3. Use the balance to measure the mass the nail and record in the data section.
4. Pour the watery solution from the beaker into an empty beaker, making sure that the
residue does not leave the beaker. If any residue escapes pour it back into the original
beaker.
5. Rinse the residue with water and pour the water in the 2nd beaker.
6. Continue rinsing the residue and pouring off the water. Do this until the residue is
clean. If 2nd beaker becomes full you can empty it in the sink.
7. Describe the residue.
Data:
1. Mass of nail before putting it in the beaker ___________
2. Mass of the copper sulfate pentahydrate __________
3. What does the solution look like before you put the nail in?
4. Day two observations of the beaker.
5. Mass of the nail on day two. _______
Calculation:
1. Calculating the mass of nail consumed. Use the following equation to find the mass consumed.
Mass of nail before reaction - mass of nail after reaction = mass consumed
Analysis
1. Is this reaction a single displacement reaction? How do you know that it is or is not?
2. What are the indications that a reaction has taken place? Did the reaction go to
completion? Explain your answer by giving evidence that supports your answer.
Conclusion: Describe the reaction that took place, identifying the products and write the balanced chemical
equation for this reaction.