If barium metal (Ba) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) react in a single-replacement reaction, what product(s) form?

Question

If barium metal (Ba) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) react in a single-replacement reaction, what product(s) form??  
A. BaAlCl₅  
B. AlBaCl₄  
C. Al + BaCl₂  
D. AlCl₅ + Ba

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (C)Al + BaCl₂. 
Rationale: The products of this single-replacement reaction are aluminum (Al) and barium chloride (BaCl₂).In a single-replacement (or displacement) reaction, a more reactive element (metal) displaces a less reactive one from a compound. Reactivity is determined by the activity series of metals. Barium is an alkaline earth metal and is more reactive than aluminum. Therefore, barium will displace aluminum from aluminum chloride. The barium atoms take the place of aluminum ions, forming barium chloride, and aluminum is released as a free metal. The balanced equation is: 3Ba + 2AlCl₃ → 2Al + 3BaCl₂.A) BaAlCl₅This suggests a single, combined product, which is characteristic of a synthesis or combination reaction, not a single-replacement reaction. Single-replacement reactions always yield an element and a new compound. Furthermore, the formula BaAlCl₅ is not a known, stable compound under normal conditions.B) AlBaCl₄This also suggests a synthesis into a single, complex compound. It does not represent the exchange of components required in a displacement reaction. The notation implies an alloy or mixed salt that is not the typical outcome of this type of reaction.C) Al + BaCl₂This correctly shows the products of the displacement. Barium replaces aluminum, resulting in elemental aluminum and the new compound barium chloride. This aligns perfectly with the pattern of a single-replacement reaction: A + BC → AC + B, where A is a more active metal than B.D) AlCl₅ + BaThis implies that aluminum forms a pentachloride (AlCl₅), which is not a stable compound (aluminum typically forms Al³⁺ and has a +3 oxidation state, bonding with three chloride ions to form AlCl₃). It also incorrectly shows the original aluminum chloride as a product, suggesting no reaction took place.Conclusion:The outcome of a single-replacement reaction is predictable using the activity series. Since barium is more reactive than aluminum, it will displace aluminum from its compound. The products are the displaced metal (aluminum) and the new compound formed by the reactive metal and the anion (barium chloride).

If barium metal (Ba) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) react in a single-replacement reaction, what product(s) form?

A
BaAlCl₅

B
AlBaCl₄

C
Al + BaCl₂

D
AlCl₅ + Ba

The products of this single-replacement reaction are aluminum (Al) and barium chloride (BaCl₂).

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Related Questions

If barium metal (Ba) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) react in a single-replacement reaction, what product(s) form?

A BaAlCl₅ B AlBaCl₄ C Al + BaCl₂ D AlCl₅ + Ba

The products of this single-replacement reaction are aluminum (Al) and barium chloride (BaCl₂).

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
BaAlCl₅

B
AlBaCl₄

C
Al + BaCl₂

D
AlCl₅ + Ba