Predicting Products:The Activity Series & Solubility Rules

Predicting Products of Single Displacement Reactions

The Activity Series:

…A way to determine whether a single displacement reaction will occur or not.

Elements at the “top” are

the most reactive and will always

displace less reactive ones.

Calciumwill replace

which will replace

which will replace

which will replace

which will replace

Magnesium

Zinc

Nickel

Copper

Gold, which loses to everyone else.

This is the activity series

for metals

FClBrI

most active

least active

But there is one for some non-metals as well

We can use the activity series to

Which of the following reactions will proceed:

Predict Single Displacement Reactions:

CaCl2 + Na →

MgBr2 + Cl2 →

Ni(SO4) + Sn →

Fe(OH)2 + Pb →

Predicting Products of Double Displacement Reactions:

The Solubility Rules:

…A way to determine the state symbols of the products of a double displacement reaction.

An Ionic Compound Dissolves:

A Covalent Compound Dissolves:

What is Dissolving ?When an ionic compound (eg salt) dissolves in water,

the compound disassociates. (breaks apart into cations and anions)

Ex: Ca(NO3)2(s) Ca2+(aq) + 2NO3-(aq)

)(2 lOH

When a covalent compound (eg sugar) dissolves in When a covalent compound (eg sugar) dissolves in water, it does water, it does not disassociatenot disassociate. Molecules of the . Molecules of the covalent compounds simply disperse due to covalent compounds simply disperse due to attraction with polar water molecules.attraction with polar water molecules.

Precipitates and Solubility Rules

When aqueous solutions of ionic compounds are poured together, sometimes an insoluble solid forms, called a precipitate.

“If you’re not a part of the solution, your part of the precipitate”

Which one is the precipitate?

for example:

NaOH(aq) + FeCl3 (aq) NaCl ( ) + Fe(OH)3 ( )

The “Solubility Rules” or “Solubility Tables” say that Halides (F-, Cl-, Br-, etc.) are soluble, but most Hydroxides (OH-) are insoluble.

(aq) (s)

So, the solid must be Iron Hydroxide.

aq s

Solubility Rules1. Alkali metals and and Ammonia (NH4

+) compounds are soluble

2. Nitrates and Acetates are soluble3. Halides are soluble, (Cl-, Br-, F-, I-)

except those of Ag+, Pb+2, and Hg2+2

4. Sulfates are soluble,

except those of Pb+2, Ba+2, Hg+2,and Ca+2

Solubility Rules (Con’t)

5. Most hydroxides are only slightly soluble (insoluble)

except NaOH and KOH

6. Sulfides, carbonates, chromates, and phosphates are insoluble.

Higher numbered rules win;

Na2S is soluble

because rule # 1 wins over rule # 6