I'm working on single replacement reactions. I know about flipping elements around, like Au+PtF yields AuF+Pt. However, I'm not sure how to do it when there's multiple elements like Al+AgC2H3O2. What would the answer be, and how would you decide what to flip?
My other question is if I did this correctly. The equation I have to balance is Li+Cr3(PO4)2 and I have to decide on the reactants. I balanced it as: 2Li+Cr3(PO4)2 yields 3Cr+2Li(PO4). Is this right? Thanks so much for all of your help.
1) The Al replaces the Ag. Metals replace metals.
2) No. PO4 is a negative 3 ion. Memorize that.
product is Li3PO4
When dealing with single replacement reactions, it's important to understand the activity series. The activity series is a list of metals in order of their reactivity with other substances. Often, this series is used to determine whether a displacement reaction will occur.
When there are multiple elements involved, like in the case of Al + AgC2H3O2, you need to compare the reactivity of the metals involved. Aluminum (Al) is higher in the activity series than silver (Ag), which means it is more reactive. As a general rule, a more reactive metal can replace a less reactive metal in a compound. Therefore, the single replacement reaction would be:
Al + AgC2H3O2 → AlC2H3O2 + Ag
In this case, the aluminum replaces silver in the compound, resulting in aluminum acetate (AlC2H3O2) and elemental silver (Ag).
Regarding your second question about balancing the equation Li + Cr3(PO4)2, it seems that you've made a mistake in your balanced equation. Let's go through the process again:
First, we need to determine the oxidation states of the elements involved. Lithium (Li) always has an oxidation state of +1, while phosphorus (P) has an oxidation state of +5. Chromium (Cr) can have multiple oxidation states, but in this case, it is in the +3 state.
The unbalanced equation is:
Li + Cr3(PO4)2
To balance it, we need to ensure that the number of atoms on each side of the equation is the same. Let's start by balancing the phosphorus (P) atoms:
Li + 3Cr3(PO4)2
Next, balance the chromium (Cr) atoms:
2Li + 3Cr(PO4)2
Finally, balance the oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) atoms by adjusting the lithium (Li) atoms:
2Li + 3 Cr(PO4)2 → 3Cr + 2Li3PO4
So the balanced equation is:
2Li + 3Cr(PO4)2 → 3Cr + 2Li3PO4