Single Displacement Reaction

A single displacement reaction or substitution reaction is a common and important type of chemical reaction. A substitution or single displacement reaction is characterized by one element being displaced from a compound by another element.

A + BC → AC + B

An example of a substitution reaction occurs when zinc combines with hydrochloric acid. The zinc replaces the hydrogen:

Zn + 2 HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂

Here is another example of a single displacement reaction:

3 AgNO₃ (aq) + Al (s) → Al(NO₃)₃ (aq) + 3 Ag (s)