Chemical Reactions

The 5 Basic Classifications

SYNTHESIS

A reaction in which two or more reactants yield a single product. Also called composition or combination General Equation A + B AB EX: 2 Li + Se ---> Li2Se

Decomposition Reaction
One Reactant Breaking Down into two or more products General Equation AB ---> A + B Example: 2 HgO 2 Hg + O2

What Is Combustion?
One or more reactants combine with oxygen releasing heat or light
Any combustion reaction must include the reactant oxygen, O2 General Equation: A + O2 AO

Example:

2Mg(s) + O2(g)

2MgO(s)

Single Replacement

Sometimes called Displacement One element replaces a similar element in a compound

A + BX AX + B

2 Na + 2 HOH ----> 2 NaOH + H2

Double Replacement

Reaction that has the interchanging of two ions from two different compounds. general form: AB + CD----> AD + CB Example: Pb(NO3)2 + 2 KI ----> PbI2 + 2 KNO3

Double Replacement

Equation consists of two reactants that have both a cation and anion. During a reaction the cations (or anions) switch places. The products usually consist of a precipitate.

Reaction Checklist

1) Is O2 a reactant? (combustion) 2) One product? (synthesis) 3) One reactant? (decomposition) 4) Is an element being replaced? (single) 5) 2 switches? (double)