Question

Is this reaction a double displacement reaction? CH3COOH (aq) + NaHCO3 (s) → CH3COONa (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)

Answer 1

Half of this is a double displacement reaction.

The reaction takes place in two steps.

Step 1

CH₃COOH(aq) + NaHCO₃(s) → CH₃COONa + H₂CO₃(aq)

This is a double displacement reaction because the Na trades partners with the H of CH₃COOH.

Step 2

The carbonic acid formed in Step 1 decomposes into CO₂ and water.

H₂CO₃(aq) → CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

This is a decomposition reaction, because one substance is converted into two different substances.

Overall Reaction

If you add the two equations together, the H₂CO₃ cancels out, and you get

CH₃COOH(aq) + Na₂CO₃(s) → CH₃COONa(aq) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)