To determine what type of reaction is taking place when sodium chloride (NaCl) reacts with copper sulfate (CuSO₄) to produce sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) and copper chloride (CuCl₂), let's analyze the equation step by step:
[tex]\[
2 \text{NaCl} (aq) + \text{CuSO}_4 (aq) \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 (aq) + \text{CuCl}_2 (s)
\][/tex]
### Step-by-Step Analysis:
1. Identify the Reactants and Products:
- Reactants: Sodium chloride ([tex]\(\text{NaCl}\)[/tex]) and copper sulfate ([tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex])
- Products: Sodium sulfate ([tex]\(\text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex]) and copper chloride ([tex]\(\text{CuCl}_2\)[/tex])
2. Check the Nature of the Transformation:
- In this reaction, the sodium (Na⁺) ions from sodium chloride ([tex]\(\text{NaCl}\)[/tex]) combine with the sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ions from copper sulfate ([tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex]) to form sodium sulfate ([tex]\(\text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex]).
- Simultaneously, the copper (Cu²⁺) ions from copper sulfate ([tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex]) combine with the chloride (Cl⁻) ions from sodium chloride ([tex]\(\text{NaCl}\)[/tex]) to form copper chloride ([tex]\(\text{CuCl}_2\)[/tex]).
3. Determine the Type of Reaction:
- A double replacement reaction, also known as a double displacement reaction, occurs when the anions and cations of two different molecules switch places, forming two entirely different compounds.
4. Verify the Characteristics:
- In the given equation, we see that the cation of [tex]\(\text{NaCl}\)[/tex] (which is [tex]\(\text{Na}^+\)[/tex]) pairs with the anion of [tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex] (which is [tex]\(\text{SO}_4^{2-}\)[/tex]), resulting in [tex]\(\text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex].
- Likewise, the cation [tex]\(\text{Cu}^{2+}\)[/tex] from [tex]\(\text{CuSO}_4\)[/tex] pairs with the anion [tex]\(\text{Cl}^-\)[/tex] from [tex]\(\text{NaCl}\)[/tex], resulting in [tex]\(\text{CuCl}_2\)[/tex].
Given the changes in the ions' pairings from the reactants to the products, we can conclude:
### Conclusion:
This equation represents a double replacement reaction, where the ions of the reactants in aqueous solutions exchange partners to form two new compounds.
