Double Displacement Chemistry Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
Write the balanced equation for the reaction between sodium chloride and silver nitrate solutions.

Solution

  1. 1
    Double displacement: AB+CD→AD+CB\text{AB} + \text{CD} \rightarrow \text{AD} + \text{CB} (cations switch partners).
  2. 2
    NaCl+AgNO3→NaNO3+AgCl\text{NaCl} + \text{AgNO}_3 \rightarrow \text{NaNO}_3 + \text{AgCl}.
  3. 3
    AgCl is insoluble (precipitate ↓). The equation is already balanced: 1 of each element on each side.

Answer

NaCl+AgNO3→NaNO3+AgCl↓\text{NaCl} + \text{AgNO}_3 \rightarrow \text{NaNO}_3 + \text{AgCl}\downarrow
Double displacement (metathesis) reactions occur when the exchange of ions produces an insoluble precipitate, a gas, or water. Solubility rules help predict whether a precipitate will form.

About Double Displacement

A double displacement (or metathesis) reaction occurs when two ionic compounds in solution exchange partners: AB + CD → AD + CB.

Learn more about Double Displacement →

More Double Displacement Examples

Example 2 medium

Predict the products and write the balanced equation: [formula]

Example 3 easy

Classify: [formula].

Example 4 hard

When solutions of lead(II) nitrate and potassium iodide are mixed, a bright yellow precipitate forms

← All Double Displacement Examples Double Displacement Concept