Classifying

Reactions

A guide
Think about the
demonstrations you
watched just now…

 Which reaction gave off heat?

 Which one absorbed heat?
Any reaction that gives
off heat is called an
“exothermic” reaction
Any reaction that
absorbs heat is called an
“endothermic” reaction
There are many different
ways to classify reactions
 We will look at one way which
splits all chemical reactions into
5 types
 The types are: synthesis,
decomposition, single
displacement, double
displacement and combustion
But 1st, HOW TO WRITE A
REACTION EQUATION
What you ⇒ What you
start with end with

Reactants ⇒ products
Synthesis Reactions
 This is when 2 substances combine
to form another substance
 General reaction: A + B ⇒ AB
 Examples: Zn + S ⇒ ZnS
 Nitrogen and hydrogen ⇒ ammonia
Decomposition Reactions
 This is the opposite of a synthesis
reaction
 One chemical is broken down into
its components
 General equation: AB ⇒ A + B
 Examples: water ⇒hydrogen and
oxygen
 H2CO3 ⇒ H2O + CO2
Single Displacement
Reactions
 General equation: A + BC ⇒
AB + C
 Examples: H2O + K ⇒ KOH +
H2
 Zinc+ hydrochloric acid ⇒ zinc
chloride + hydrogen
Double Displacement
Reactions
 When two substances “swap” or
“trade” their components
 General equation: AB + CD ⇒ AD + CB
 General examples: acid + base ⇒
water + salt
 HCl + NaOH ⇒ H2O + NaCl
 Lead nitrate + potassium iodide ⇒ lead
iodide + potassium nitrate
Combustion Reactions
 Exothermic reactions involving
adding oxygen to substance(s)
 Most of the time these reactions will
involve molecules containing
carbon and hydrogen
 General equation:

CxHy + O2⇒ CO2 + H2O

 Example: methane + oxygen ⇒
carbon dioxide + water