Chapter 11.3, Problem 30LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine how precipitate will form in a double-replacement reaction.

Concept Introduction: When more than one atom or molecule will be replaced by each another then it will be referred to as a double replacement reaction.

Answer to Problem 30LC

When the anions generated by one of the reactants interact with the cations from another reactant to form an insoluble ionic molecule, the result would be a precipitate in a double-replacement reaction.

Explanation of Solution

In the displacement reaction, the combination of two opposite ions will form one insoluble salt. It is easy to predict that reaction will be a double decomposition reaction. For example, when silver nitrate reacts with sodium chloride then it will form silver chloride and sodium nitrate. During the reaction, a precipitate of silver chloride will be formed

  ${\text{AgNO}}_{\text{3}}\text{+NaCl}\to \text{AgCl(ppt)}{\text{+NaNO}}_{\text{3}}$