What kind of reaction is the following equation?
Ca + H20 -> Ca(OH)2 + H2 (g)
A single replacement.
The single element (Ca) replaced the H in H2O.
Thanks!
IRON+SULPHUR-IRON 2 IN ROMAN NUMERALS SULPHIDE
The given equation represents a chemical reaction called a single displacement or a redox reaction. Specifically, it is an example of a metal reacting with water to form a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
To identify the kind of reaction in general, you can follow these steps:
1. Balance the equation: Ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal. In this case, the balanced equation is:
2Ca + 2H2O -> 2Ca(OH)2 + H2
2. Analyze the equation: Look closely at the reactants (Ca and H2O) and the products (Ca(OH)2 and H2).
- The reactant Ca is a metal, and it has displaced the hydrogen from water (H2O) to form hydrogen gas (H2). This indicates a single displacement or substitution reaction.
- Additionally, the Ca(OH)2 formed is a hydroxide compound. Therefore, this reaction can also be classified as a metal hydroxide formation reaction.
Hence, the given equation is both a single displacement reaction and a metal hydroxide formation reaction.