Single Displacement Reaction.
A single displacement reaction is one in which a single element replaces another element which is in a compound.
A plus BX gives B plus AX.
Let us take an example to understand single displacement reaction.
2 iron nails.
Copper sulfate solution.
Put 2 iron nails in copper sulfate solution.
After half an hour.
After half an hour, remove the nails from copper sulfate solution.
Reddish brown deposit of copper is seen on the nails.
Copper sulfate solution has turned greenish in color.
In a displacement reaction, only elements having higher reactivity can replace elements having lower reactivity from their salt solutions.
Iron plus Copper Sulfate gives copper plus Ferrous sulfate.
More reactive.
Less reactive.
Iron displaces copper from copper sulfate solution to form iron sulfate.
Here, iron replaces copper from copper sulfate.
This reaction is called single displacement or single replacement reaction.