What occurs in a single replacement reaction?

In a single replacement reaction, one element replaces a similar element within a compound. This type of reaction typically involves a more reactive element displacing a less reactive element from its compound. For example, if we have a solution of copper(II) sulfate and we introduce zinc, zinc, being more reactive, will replace the copper ions and form zinc sulfate while releasing elemental copper.

This process is important in various applications, including metallurgy and chemical synthesis, as it helps to illustrate the reactivity series of metals. Understanding this type of reaction is fundamental in predicting outcomes in chemical reactions and can be used in practical calculations concerning reaction yields and balancing equations.

The other options describe different types of reactions: decomposition reactions and double replacement reactions, which involve different mechanisms and outcomes compared to single replacement.