Question

Single replacement reaction nonmetals.

a) Fluorine displaces chlorine from a solution of NaCl.
b) Chlorine displaces bromine from a solution of KBr.
c) Oxygen displaces sulfur from a solution of H₂S.
d) Bromine displaces iodine from a solution of KI.

Answer 1

Single-replacement reactions among halogens depend on their position in the reactivity series; halogens can displace others below them in the group. For nonmetals like oxygen and sulfur, the comparison is not straightforward since they belong to different groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of single-replacement reactions involving nonmetals, particularly the halogens, the reactivity series plays a crucial role. The halogens, which include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, demonstrate a decrease in reactivity as one moves down the group on the periodic table.

a) Since fluorine is above chlorine on the periodic table, fluorine can displace chlorine from NaCl, resulting in the formation of NaF and Cl2.

b) Similarly, chlorine, being above bromine, can replace bromine from KBr, leading to the production of KCl and Br2.

c) Oxygen, however, is not in the same group as sulfur and such replacements are not directly comparable to halogen single-replacement reactions.

d) Bromine, which is above iodine on the periodic table, can displace iodine from KI, producing KBr and I2.