Final answer:
A single-replacement reaction is a chemical process where one element replaces a similar element in a compound, characterized by the general formula A + BC → AC + B. It can involve metals or nonmetals and is often guided by an activity series.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the kind of reaction where one element replaces a similar element in a compound, it is known as a single-replacement reaction or single-displacement reaction. The general formula for this type of reaction is A + BC → AC + B. When the replacing element is a metal, it replaces another metal in the compound. If the replacing element is a nonmetal, it replaces a nonmetal in the compound. These reactions are often redox reactions where oxidation and reduction take place. The periodic table or an activity series can help predict whether single-replacement reactions occur.