Can you check my answer on a problem where I needed to predict the products of a single replacement reaction??

Question

Predict the product of the single replacement reaction and balance the final equation. Use the activity series to determine if the reaction will occur first. Include state symbols for all species. 

 

Ni + Hg(CH3COO)2 = 

 

I think it might be Ni(CH3COO)2 (aq) + Hg (l)

 

I might be completely off though. Also, what would the state of Hg be and 

if you have time, how would you determine whether or not a reaction would even occur based on the activity series? 

 

Thank you!!!!!

Answer 1

That is correct. A single replacement reaction involves replacing a single element in one compound with another element. Often, not necessarily always, an exchange of electron(s) from one element to another is also involved. You could break down this reaction into the following simpler reactions:

 

Ni  =>  Ni+2  +  2e-

 

Hg(CH3COO)2  =>  Hg+2  +  2(CH3COO-)

 

Hg+2  +  2e-  =>  Hg

 

and 

 

Ni+2  +  2(CH3COO-)   =>  Ni(CH3COO)2

 

resulting in 

 

Ni  +  Hg(CH3COO)2   =>    Ni(CH3COO)2  +  Hg

 

 

 

If you wish to include the various states of the various states of the compounds please note that the two compounds Ni(CH3COO)2 and Hg(CH3COO)2  will actually exist in their dissociated, ionic state (use "(aq)" on each of the ionic species to represent this), while the Nickel is initially solid ( Ni(s) ). You have correctly shown the resultant Mercury to be in the liquid state ( Hg(l) ).

 

Chris