Types of chemical reactions
by: Jackson Pendle
Synthesis
A reaction in which two or more substances react to form a single substance. The reactants may be either elements or compounds
A + B ------> AB
Examples
1) Sodium reacting with Chlorine
2) Oxygen and Hydrogen reacting to form water
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Decomposition
A reaction in which a compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. The reactant must be a compound.
AB ------> A + B
Examples
1) When electricity passes through water
2) The making of cement
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Single Replacement
A reaction in which one element takes the place of another element in a compound
A + BC --------> B + AC
Examples
1) Dipping a coil of copper wire into silver nitrate and water
2) Potassium reacting with water
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Double Replacement
Two different compounds exchange positive ions and form two new compounds
AB + CD --------> AD + CB
Examples
1) When lead nitrate and potassium iodide are mixed
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Combustion
When a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen, often producing heat and light
Examples
1) The burning of natural gas
2) The combustion of methane