Identify the type of reactions taking place in each of the following cases and write the
balanced chemical equation for the reactions.
(a) Zinc reacts with silver nitrate to produce zinc nitrate and silver.
(b) Potassium iodide reacts with lead nitrate to produce potassium nitrate and lead
iodide.

Explanation

(a) `underset("Zinc")(Zn(s)) + underset("Silver nitrate")(2AgNO_(3)(aq)) rarr underset("Zinc nitrate")(Zn(NO_(3))_(2)(aq)) + underset("Silver")(2Ag(s))`
This is displacement reaction. Zinc being more reactive than silver displaces it from
its salt.
(b) `underset("Potassium iodide ")(2KI(aq)) + underset("Lead nitrate")(Pb(NO_(3))_(2)(aq)) rarr underset("Potassium nitrate")(2KNO_(3)(aq)) + underset("(Yellow ppt.)")underset("Lead iodide")(PbI_(2)(s))`
This is a double displacement reaction in . which exchange of ions between the reactants
happens.