Single exchange reaction
A single displacement reaction, in which one metal takes the place of another in a compound and the atoms rearrange into new products.
The science behind this experiment
In a chemical reaction, the atoms of the initial compounds are rearranged to form new compounds. Chemical reactions can be classified as reactions of synthesis, decomposition, exchange or redox.
It is important to note that in single exchange reactions there is a change in the oxidation number of an element, whereas in double exchange there is no change in oxidation numbers.
Equipment used
- Test tubes — PLA-007
- Test tube rack — PLA-012
Chemicals and reagents
- Hydrochloric acid — R:34-37 S:26-45
- Silver nitrate — R:34-50/53 S:26-45-60-61
- Magnesium ribbon — R:11-15 S:78-43
- Copper wire
Safety notes
- Take care when working with silver nitrate solution: it causes black stains on skin which are extremely difficult to remove.
Questions for students
- Describe what happens on putting magnesium ribbon in hydrochloric acid. What is the reaction?
- Describe what happens on putting the copper wire into the silver ions solution. Try to write the reaction.
What to expect
The magnesium ribbon is quickly covered in bubbles. Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq)+ H2 (g) ↑. After a few minutes the copper coil is covered in silver and the solution turns a pale blue colour. 2Ag+NO3 (aq)+ Cu (s) →2 Ag(s) + Cu2+(NO3 )2(aq). The colour of the solution is the typical colour of aqueous copper complexes.
Disposal
Pour the solutions into the liquid wastes container.
Run this experiment in your classroom
This experiment is part of ATP Volta — a self-contained mobile science lab that turns an ordinary classroom into a working STEM laboratory, with over 200 experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, robotics and engineering. Gali, the AI tutor built into ATP Connect, guides students through each step and answers their questions at the bench.
See the ATP Volta mobile science labTalk to our team