Unit 11:
Classification of
Chemical Reactions
Cypress Creek HS: Chemistry 1L
Chapter 10
Predicting Chemical Reactions
Steps
1. Determine what type of reaction is being presented
2. Write the correct formulas for the product(s)
3. Balance the equation
Example: CaCl2 + Al(OH)3  ?
1. Double-displacement reaction
2. __CaCl2 + __Al(OH)3  __Ca(OH)2 + __AlCl3
3. 3CaCl2 + 2Al(OH)3  3Ca(OH)2 + 2AlCl3
Predicting Chemical Reactions
Practice
 Predict the chemical reaction from combining
sodium iodide with strontium hydroxide:
2NaI(aq) + Sr(OH)2(aq)  2NaOH(aq) + SrI2(s)
 Predict the chemical reaction from combining
magnesium and copper (II) sulfate:
Mg(s) + CuSO4(aq)  Cu(s) + MgSO4(aq)
Activity Series
Li
Rb
K
Ca
Na
Mg
Al
Mn
Zn
Fe
Ni
Sn
Pb
H2
Cu
Hg
Ag
Pt
Au
Most Active
• This feature is found on your handy helper.
• Use it to determine whether a singledisplacement reaction will occur (react) or not.
• Active metals have a low electronegativity. They
bond with nonmetals more readily because they
are less stable by themselves.
• If a very active metal is competing with a less
active metal to bond (with a nonmetal or negatively
charged polyatomic ion), the more active metal will
“win”.
• Think of it as a competing suitors who want to
date the same girl!
Least Active
Activity Series
Li
Rb
K
Ca
Na
Mg
Al
Mn
Zn
Fe
Ni
Sn
Pb
H2
Cu
Hg
Ag
Pt
Au
Most Active
Example #1: Is this combination possible?
Pb + MgSO4  PbSO4 + Mg
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Answer: No, because Mg is more active than Pb
Example #2: Is this combination possible?
NaNO3 + K  Na + KNO3
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

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Answer: Yes, because K is more active than Na
Least Active
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