What type of reaction is represented by Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq)?

The reaction represented by Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq) is classified as a single replacement reaction. In this type of reaction, one element displaces another element in a compound.

In the given reaction, copper (Cu) is a solid metal that displaces silver ions (Ag+) from silver nitrate (AgNO3), producing solid silver (Ag) and copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) in solution. This demonstrates the characteristic of a single replacement reaction, where the metal (Cu) takes the place of another metal (Ag) in the compound.

Understanding this reaction type is crucial in identifying chemical processes in various contexts, such as redox reactions, where the oxidation states of elements change. In the context of the given question, recognizing that one metal can replace another helps outline the fundamental nature of how metals interact in chemical reactions.