Question

What are some common mistakes students make with double replacement reactions?

Answer 1

Students have difficulty determining whether a double replacement reaction has occurred. They also have difficulty identifying the precipitate if one forms. They also have difficulty determining the complete and net ionic equations.

Explanation:

One of the two products must either be water, an insoluble gas, or an insoluble solid called a precipitate.

If a precipitate forms, it can be identified by using solubility rules.

The complete ionic equation includes all of the ions and the water, gas, or precipitate.

The net ionic equation involves only the ions that reacted to produce the water, gas, or precipitate, and the water, gas, or precipitate.