Sample Problems (the solutions are in the next section)

List what type the following reactions are:

1)  NaOH + KNO3 --> NaNO3 + KOH

2)  CH4 + 2 O2 --> CO2 + 2 H2O

3)  2 Fe + 6 NaBr --> 2 FeBr3 + 6 Na

4)  CaSO4 + Mg(OH)2 --> Ca(OH)2 + MgSO4

5)  NH4OH + HBr --> H2O + NH4Br

6)  Pb + O2 --> PbO2

7)  Na2CO3 --> Na2O + CO2

Solutions to the Sample Problems

1)  double displacement 
2)  combustion 
3)  single displacement 
4)  double displacement 
5)  acid-base 
6)  synthesis 
7)  decomposition

Types of Chemical Reactions

General Chemistry Software Download - CHEMIX School - Help Balancing
Chemical Reactions and much more

Types of Chemical Reactions - Examples

Synthesis Chemical Reactions

Simple substances combines to form a complex substance

                                  Example:    H2 + N2 --> NH3         Balanced:    3H2 + N2 = 2NH3

                                  Example :    H2 + O2 --> H2O        Balanced:    2H2 + O2 = 2H2O

Decomposition Chemical Reactions:

A complex substance breaks down to its simpler parts

                                   Example: NH3 --> N2 + H2           Balanced:  2NH3  = N2 + 3H2

                                                  H2O  --> O2 + H2          Balanced:  2H2O  =   O2 + 2H2

Single Replacement Chemical Reactions

One type of atom or group in a compund is replaced by another type of atom or group
forming a new compund.  Below --> Hydrogen in HCl  is replaced by Aluminium in
AlCl3

 Example: Al  +  HCl  --> AlCl3 + H2              Balanced :   2Al  +  6HCl  =  2AlCl3 +

3H2

Double Replacement Chemical Reactions

Two types of atoms or groups exchange places to form two new compunds.      

 Example:     HCl + NaOH --> NaCl + H2O

Note: If you use CHEMIX School for balancing chemical reactions/equations you
must replace the arrow '-->' by '>'  (greater then). 
CHEMIX School example - Balancing chemical reactions :       Al  +  HCl  >  AlCl3 +
H2

 Decomposition in general means to break down into small species e.g. natural organic matter
decomposes with enzymes into carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen etc.
o Fermentation is form of biological degradation, catalysed by enzymes, to break down
glucose sugar into the smaller molecules of ethanol ('alcohol') and carbon dioxide ...
 C6H12O6(aq) ==> 2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)
 Light can cause decomposition e.g. in photography is a sort of photo-decomposition.
o silver chloride + light ==> silver + chlorine
o 2AgCl ==> 2Ag + Cl2
 Thermal decomposition means to break down substances into two or more substances by heat
(usually endothermic reactions at temperatures well above room temperature) e.g.
 o The decomposition of calcium carbonate (limestone) into calcium oxide (lime) and carbon
dioxide in a high temperature lime kiln.
o calcium carbonate ==> calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
o CaCO3(s) ==> CaO(s) + CO2(g)
 For more details see the Extra Industrial Chemistry notes.
o The breaking down of hydrocarbons into smaller ones using a catalyst as well as a high
temperature. This reaction is also known as cracking.
 For more details see the Oil and its useful Products notes.
o e.g.  octane ==> hexane + ethene
 C8H18 ==> C6H14 + C2H4
o Other thermal decompositions which are examples of reversible reactions .

Metal displacements Non-metal displacements

 e.g. the spectacular very
exothermic 'thermit reaction'
which shows aluminium is more
reactive than iron.  When a
mixture of aluminium and iron(III)
oxide is ignited with a
magnesium fuse (high activation
energy), the mixture burns
furiously with a shower of sparks
to leave a red hot blob of iron
and a white as of aluminium
oxide ...
 iron(III) oxide +
aluminium ==> aluminium
oxide + iron
 Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) ==> Al2O3(s) +
2Fe(s)   
 or more reactive copper 'gently'
displaces silver from silver
nitrate solution to make silvery
plated copper
 copper + silver
nitrate ==> copper(II) nitrate +
silver
 Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) ==> 2Ag +
Cu(NO3)2(aq)
 more details in Metal Reactivity
Notes
 e.g. halogen displacement, more
reactive chlorine displaces
bromine from potassium bromide
 chlorine + potassium bromide
==> potassium chloride +
bromine
 Cl2(aq) + 2KBr(aq) ==> 2KCl(aq) +
Br2(aq) 
 or more reactive bromine
displaces iodine from sodium
iodide
 bromine + sodium iodide ==>
sodium bromide + iodine
 Br2(aq) + 2NaI(aq) ==> 2NaCl(aq) +
I2(aq)
more details in KS4 Science
GCSE/IGCSE Chemistry Notes
on Group 7 Halogen Notes

Na2CrO4(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) ==> PbCrO4(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)

 \NEUTRALISATION usually involves mixing an acid (pH <7 if soluble) with a base or alkali

(pH > 7 if soluble) which react to form a neutral salt solution of around pH7

 Two situations are common:

  (1) Water soluble bases, called alkalis and often hydroxides, are mixed with a soluble acid such
as hydrochloric, citric, sulphuric or nitric acid.

o acid + base/alkali ==> salt + water

o e.g. sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid ==> sodium chloride + water

 NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) ==> NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

o certain carbonates like sodium carbonate, are also soluble to form alkaline solutions, and
they will be similarly neutralised with 'fizzing' as carbon dioxide is formed as a 3rd product

o e.g. sodium carbonate + hydrochloric acid ==> sodium chloride + water + carbon

dioxide

 Na2CO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) ==> 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) 

 (2) Dissolving a water insoluble base (often an oxide) in an acid

o e.g. copper oxide + sulphuric acid ==> copper sulphate + water

 CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq) ==> CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l)

o the acid can also be neutralised with a metal or a carbonate to give a salt solution

o metal + acid ==> salt + hydrogen (this is also a redox reaction)

o e.g. zinc + hydrochloric acid ==> zinc chloride + hydrogen

 Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) ==> ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g) 

o insoluble carbonate + acid ==> (often soluble) salt + water + carbon dioxide

o e.g. magnesium carbonate + sulphuric acid ==> magnesium sulphate + water +

carbon dioxide

 MgCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) ==> MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) 

Examples of decomposition reactions:

1. Metallic carbonates, when heated, form metallic oxides and CO2(g).

EX. CaCO3(s)  →    CaO(s)  +  CO2(g)

2. Most metallic hydroxides, when heated, decompose into metallic oxides and water.
 EX. Ca(OH)2(s)  →    CaO(s)  +  H2O(g)

3. Metallic chlorates, when heated, decompose into metallic chlorides and oxygen.

EX. 2KClO3(s)  →    2KCl(s)  +  3O2(g)

4. Some acids, when heated, decompose into nonmetallic oxides and water.

EX. H2SO4  →    H2O(l)  +  SO3(g)

5. Some oxides, when heated, decompose.

EX. 2HgO(s)  →    2Hg(l)  +  O2(g)

6. Some decomposition reactions are produced by electricity.

EX. 2H2O(l)  →    2H2(g)  +  O2(g)

EX. 2NaCl(l)  →    2Na(s)  +  Cl2(g)

2.  Decomposition (also called Analysis) - In a decomposition reaction, one

substance is broken down into two or more, simpler substances.  This type of
reaction is the opposite of a synthesis reaction, as shown by the general formula
below;

AB       ---->      A       +      B

or
Compound ------> element or compound + element or compound

Some examples of decomposition reactions are shown below;

C12H22O11(s) ----> 12C(s) + 11H2O(g)

Pb(OH)2(cr) ----> PbO(cr) + H2O(g)
2Ag2O(cr) ----> 4Ag(cr) + O2(g)

3.  Single Displacement (also called Single Replacement) - In this type of

reaction, a neutral element becomes an ion as it replaces another ion in a
compound.   The general form of this equation can be written as;
 In the case of a positive ion being replaced:  A + BC ----> B + AC
or
In the case of a negative ion being replaced:  A + BC ----> C + BA
in either case we have;

element + compound ----> element + compound

Some examples of single displacement reactions are shown below:

Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) ----> ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

2Al(s) + 3CuCl2(aq) ---> 2AlCl3(aq) + 3Cu(s)
Cl2(g) + KBr(aq) ----> KCl(aq) + Br2(l)

4.  Double Displacement (also called Double Replacement) - Like dancing

couples, the compounds in this type of reaction exchange partners.  The basic
form for this type of reaction is shown below;

AB + CD ----> CB + AD
or
Compound + Compound ----> Compound + Compound

Some examples of double displacement reactions are shown below;

AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) ----> AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)

ZnBr2(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq) ----> Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2AgBr(cr)
H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) ----> Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
A            +             B                 ---->                 AB
or
element or compound + element or compound -----> compound

Some examples of synthesis reactions are shown below;

 2H2(g) + O2(g) ----> 2H2O(g)
C(s) + O2(g) ----> CO2(g)
CaO(s) + H2O(l) ----> Ca(OH)2(s)
Types of Chemical Reactions - Examples

Synthesis Chemical Reactions

Simple substances combines to form a complex substance

                                  Example:    H2 + N2 --> NH3         Balanced:    3H2 + N2 = 2NH3

                                  Example :    H2 + O2 --> H2O        Balanced:    2H2 + O2 = 2H2O

II. Four basic types of chemical reactions:

A. Synthesis (composition):

 two or more elements or compounds may combine to form a more complex

compound.
 Basic form: A  +  X  →    AX

Examples of synthesis reactions:

1. Metal  +  oxygen  →   metal oxide

EX. 2Mg(s)  +  O2(g)  →    2MgO(s)

2. Nonmetal  +  oxygen  →    nonmetallic oxide

EX. C(s)  +  O2(g)  →    CO2(g)

3. Metal oxide  +  water  →    metallic hydroxide

EX. MgO(s)  +   H2O(l)  →    Mg(OH)2(s)

4. Nonmetallic oxide  +  water  →    acid

EX. CO2(g)  +  H2O(l)  →    ; H2CO3(aq)

5. Metal + nonmetal  →    salt

 EX. 2 Na(s)  +  Cl2(g)  →    2NaCl(s)

6. A few nonmetals combine with each other.

EX. 2P(s)  +  3Cl2(g)  →    2PCl3(g)

These two reactions must be remembered:

1. N2(g)  +  3H2(g)  →    2NH3(g)

2. NH3(g)  +  H2O(l)  →    NH4OH(aq)

Synthesis Reactions

Helpful Hint!

Synthesis reactions always yield one product. Reversing a

synthesis reaction will give you adecomposition reaction.

The general form of a synthesis reaction is A + B → AB. Synthesis reactions "put things together".
This is the most well-known example of a synthesis reaction—the
formation of water via the fusion of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Another example of a synthesis reaction is the formation of sodium

chloride (table salt).

Because of the very high reactivities of sodium metal and chlorine gas, this reaction releases a
tremendous amount of heat and light energy. Recall that atoms release energy as they become stable,
and consider the octet rule when determining why this reaction is so favorable.

[edit]Decomposition Reactions
These are the opposite of synthesis reactions, with the format AB → A + B. Decomposition reactions
"take things apart". Just as synthesis reactions can only form one product, decomposition reactions can
only start with one reactant. Compounds that are unstable will decompose quickly without outside
assistance.
One example is the electrolysis of water (passing water through
electrical current) to form hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Hydrogen peroxide slowly decomposes into water and oxygen

because it is somewhat unstable. The process is sped up by the
energy from light, so hydrogen peroxide is stored in dark containers
to slow down the decomposition.
 Carbonic acid is the carbonation that is dissolved in soda. It
decomposes into carbon dioxide and water, which is why an opened
drink will lose its fizz.

Decomposition, aside from happening spontaneously in unstable compounds,

occurs under three conditions: thermal, electrolytic, and catalytic. Thermal
decomposition occurs when a substance is heated. Electrolytic decomposition, as
shown above, is the result of an electric current. Catalytic decomposition happens
because a catalyst breaks apart a substance.

[edit]Single Replacement Reactions

Single replacement reactions, also called single displacement, swap one component with another, in the
format AB + C → AC + B.

Adding hydrochloric acid to zinc will cause a gas to bubble out:

Synthesis Reactions

Helpful Hint!

Synthesis reactions always yield one product. Reversing a

synthesis reaction will give you adecomposition reaction.

The general form of a synthesis reaction is A + B → AB. Synthesis reactions "put things together".
This is the most well-known example of a synthesis reaction—the
formation of water via the fusion of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Another example of a synthesis reaction is the formation of sodium

chloride (table salt).

Because of the very high reactivities of sodium metal and chlorine gas, this reaction releases a
tremendous amount of heat and light energy. Recall that atoms release energy as they become stable,
and consider the octet rule when determining why this reaction is so favorable.

[edit]Decomposition Reactions
These are the opposite of synthesis reactions, with the format AB → A + B. Decomposition reactions
"take things apart". Just as synthesis reactions can only form one product, decomposition reactions can
only start with one reactant. Compounds that are unstable will decompose quickly without outside
assistance.
One example is the electrolysis of water (passing water through
electrical current) to form hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Hydrogen peroxide slowly decomposes into water and oxygen

because it is somewhat unstable. The process is sped up by the
energy from light, so hydrogen peroxide is stored in dark containers
to slow down the decomposition.

Carbonic acid is the carbonation that is dissolved in soda. It

decomposes into carbon dioxide and water, which is why an opened
drink will lose its fizz.

Decomposition, aside from happening spontaneously in unstable compounds,

occurs under three conditions: thermal, electrolytic, and catalytic. Thermal
decomposition occurs when a substance is heated. Electrolytic decomposition, as
shown above, is the result of an electric current. Catalytic decomposition happens
because a catalyst breaks apart a substance.

[edit]Single Replacement Reactions

Single replacement reactions, also called single displacement, swap one component with another, in the
format AB + C → AC + B.

Adding hydrochloric acid to zinc will cause a gas to bubble out:

DISPLACEMENT

2 KI + Cl2   2 KCl + I2

ANSWERS TO EQUATIONS

1. SO3 + H2O   H2SO4

SYNTHESIS

2. Pb(NO3)2 + 2NaI   PbI2  + 2NaNO3 

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT (lead II iodide precipitates)
3. CaF2 + H2SO4   CaSO4  + 2 HF 
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT (calcium sulfate precipitates)

4. CaCO3   CaO + CO2 

DECOMPOSITION

5. NH3 + H2O   NH4OH 

SYNTHESIS

6. 2 NaOH + H2CO3   Na2CO3 + 2 H2O

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT OR ACID-BASE NEUTRALIZATION

7. 2 ZnS + O2   2 ZnO + 2 S 

ANIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT

8. Li2O + H2O   2 LiOH 

SYNTHESIS

9. 2 Al(OH)3 + 3 H2SO4   6 H2O + Al2(SO4)3 

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT OR ACID-BASE NEUTRALIZATION

10. S + O2   SO2 

SYNTHESIS

11. Ba(OH)2 + H2SO4   2 H2O + BaSO4

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT OR ACID-BASE NEUTRALIZATION

12. Al2(SO4)3 + 3 Ca(OH)2   2 Al(OH)3  + 3 CaSO4  

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT
(BOTH calcium sulfate and aluminum hydroxide are precipitates.)

13. Cu + 2AgNO3   2Ag + Cu(NO3)2 

CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT

14. 2Na + Cl2   2 NaCl 

SYNTHESIS

15. Ca3(PO4)2 + 3 H2SO4   3 CaSO4 + 2 H3PO4 

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT

16. H3(PO4) + 3 NaOH   Na3PO4 + 3 H2O 

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT (NEUTRALIZATION)
17. C3H8 + 5 O2   4 H2O + 3 CO2 
BURNING OF A HYDROCARBON

18. Zn + CuSO4   ZnSO4 + Cu 

CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT

19. H2SO4 + Zn   ZnSO4 + H2 

CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT

20. HC2H3O2   H  + (C2H3O2)  

+ -

IONIZATION (NOTICE THAT IT IS REVERSIBLE)

21. 2 H2O + CH4   4 H2 + CO2

22. 3 CaO + 2 Al   Al2O3 + 3 Ca 

CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT

23. Cl2 + 2 NaBr   2 NaCl + Br2 

ANIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT
DISPLACEMENT REACTION www.citycollegiate.com
   A chemical reaction in which a radical or group replaces another radical or group form a
compound and    takes its position is called a displacement reaction.
   They can be represented as:
A + BC  AC + B
   EXAMPLE:
Zn + H2SO4  ZnSO4 + H2
Zn + CuSO4  ZnSO4 + Cu
DOUBLE DISPLACEMENT  
   A chemical reaction in which two substances are decomposed to form new substances by
exchanging their    radicals is called double displacement reaction.
   They can be represented as:
AB+CD  AD+CB
   EXAMPLE:
BaCl2 + Na2SO4  BaSO4 + 2NaCl
AgNO3+ NaCl  AgCl + NaNO3
NEUTRALIZATION www.citycollegiate.com
   A chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react to form salt and water is called
Neutralization.
Acid + Base  Salt + Water
EXAMPLE:
HCl + NaOH  NaCl + H2O
HNO3 + NaOH  NaNO3 + H2O
Neutralization reactions
) Decomposition Reaction: It  is a type of chemical reaction in which a complex
substance breaks down to simpler substances.It is opposite of synthesis reaction.
Ex: 2 N2O5 ----------> 4 NO2 + H20
      2 KClO3  -------------> 2 KCl  + 3 O2
4) Single displacement reaction : It is a chemical reaction in which an element displaces
another element in a compound .
 Ex:  Mg + 2 HCl  -----------> MgCl2 +H2  
        Fe2O3 + Zn ------------> Zn2O3 + 2 Fe  
5) Double displacement reaction:This is a type of chemical reaction in which the anions
and cations in the reactants interchange their positions and form two different
compounds.
Ex:  2 NaCl +H2SO4 -------------> Na2SO4 + 2 HCl
       AgNO3 + KCl ---------------> AgCl + KNO3
K + S8  K2S (ionic)
Ca + O2  CaO (ionic)
Al + I2   AlI3 (ionic)
H2 + O2   H2O (covalent)
I2 + Cl2   ICl, ICl3, or ICl5 (covalent)
Na2O + H2O   NaOH
MgO + H2O   Mg(OH)2
SO2 + H2O   H2SO3
Cl2O5 + H2O   HClO3
2NG +O=2MGO

MGO+H2O=MG(Oh)

Examples of replacement reactions: 1. Replacement of a metal in a compound by a more active metal. EX. Fe(s)  +
CuSO4(aq)  ?    FeSO4(aq)  +  Cu(s) 2. Replacement of hydrogen in water by an active metal. EX. 2Na(s)  +  2H2O(l)  ?  
2NaOH(aq)  +  H2(g) EX. Mg(s)  +  H2O(g)  ?    MgO(s)  +  H2(g) :
Examples of replacement reactions: 1. Replacement of a metal in a compound by a more active metal. EX. Fe(s)  +  CuSO4(aq)
?    FeSO4(aq)  +  Cu(s) 2. Replacement of hydrogen in water by an active metal. EX. 2Na(s)  +  2H2O(l)  ?    2NaOH(aq)  +
H2(g) EX. Mg(s)  +  H2O(g)  ?    MgO(s)  +  H2(g)

3. Replacement of hydrogen in acids by active metals. EX. Zn(s)  +  2HCl(aq)  ?    ZnCl2(aq)  +  H2(g) 4. Replacement of
nonmetals by more active nonmetals. EX. Cl2(g)  +  2NaBr(aq)  ?    2NaCl(aq)  +  Br2(l) NOTE: Refer to the activity
series for metals and nonmetals to predict products of replacement reactions. If the free element is above the element to
be replaced in the compound, then the reaction will occurr. If it is below, then no reaction occurs. :
3. Replacement of hydrogen in acids by active metals. EX. Zn(s)  +  2HCl(aq)  ?    ZnCl2(aq)  +  H2(g) 4. Replacement of
nonmetals by more active nonmetals. EX. Cl2(g)  +  2NaBr(aq)  ?    2NaCl(aq)  +  Br2(l) NOTE: Refer to the activity series for
metals and nonmetals to predict products of replacement reactions. If the free element is above the element to be replaced in the
compound, then the reaction will occurr. If it is below, then no reaction occurs.

Types of Chemical Reactions

Consider for a moment the number of possible chemical reactions. Because there are millions
of chemical compounds, it is logical to expect that there are millions of possible chemical
reactions. It would be very difficult to memorize the equations for all the different chemical
reactions that occur so chemists have grouped them according to the similarities in the way
they react. It is not quite as simple as this though because some chemical reactions can belong
to more than one type. One method groups nearly all the chemical reactions into five main
types.
1. synthesis (or combination)
2. decomposition
3. single-replacement (or single displacement)
4. double replacement (or double displacement)
5. combustion

1. Synthesis reactions
When two reactants combine to form one product. For example:

Word Potassium
Potassium + Chlorine 
equation Chloride
Chemical
K(s) + Cl2(g)  2 KCl(s)
equation

2. Decomposition reactions
When one reactant breaks down into two or more products or two of more of the same
molecules. It is hard to predict the products of decomposition reactions. For example:

Calcium Calcium Carbon

1. Word equation  +
carbonate Oxide dioxide

Chemical equation CaCO3(s)  CaO(s) + CO2(g)

2. Word equation Mercury oxide  Mercury + Oxygen

Chemical equation 2 HgO(s)  2 Hg(l) + O2(g)

Write a word and balanced symbol equation for the decomposition reaction you observed.

3. Single Replacement reactions

Occur between a metal element and a compound. The metal element replaces an element in
the compound. Common elements that swap are two metals or a metal and hydrogen. For
example:

Word Magnesium
1. Magnesium + Zinc nitrate  + Zinc
equation nitrate
Chemical
Mg(s) + Zn(NO3)2(aq)  Mg(NO3)2(aq) + Zn(s)
equation

The element magnesium, Mg is replaced by the element zinc, Zn in the compound zinc nitrate.
Zinc becomes the product.

Word Hydrochloric Magnesium

2. magnesium +  + Hydrogen
equation acid chloride
Chemical
Mg (s) + 2 HCl (aq)  MgCl2 (aq) + H2(g)
equation

In this reaction the element magnesium is replaced by the element hydrogen, H in hydrochloric
acid. Hydrogen gas, H2 becomes the product.

Write a word and balanced symbol equation for the single replacement reaction you observed.

4. Double Replacement reactions

Occur between two compounds. The two positive metal ions in each reactant swap places with one
another. For example:
 Word Potassium Barium Potassium Barium
1. +  +
equation Carbonate Chloride Chloride carbonate
Chemical
K2CO3(aq) + BaCl2(aq)  2 KCl (aq) + BaCO3(s)
equation

ions K+, CO32- Ba2+, Cl- K+, Cl- Ba2+, CO32-

Ionic
CO32-(aq) + Ba2+(aq)  BaCO3(s)
Equation

Word Sodium Magnesium Sodium Magnesium

2. +  +
equation sulfide nitrate nitrate sulfide

Chemical
Na2S(aq) + Mg(NO3)2(aq)  NaNO3 (aq) + MgS(s)
equation

ions Na+, S2- Mg2+, NO3- Na+, NO3- Mg2+, S2-

Ionic
S2-(aq) + Mg2+(aq)  MgS(s)
Equation
In these reactions the two positive metal ions swap places with one another to form two new
compounds. In most double displacement reactions the reactants are aqueous solutions. The products
formed are a solid and another aqueous solution. The solid product formed when two aqueous
solutions react is called a precipitate. To identify the precipitate solubility rules are used. The ionic
equation show the ions involved in the formation of the precipitate only.

Solubility Rules

1. All nitrates are soluble

2. All chlorides, bromides and iodides are soluble except those of Pb 2+, Ag+ and Hg2+
3. All sulfates are soluble except those of Ba 2+, Sr2+, and Pb2+. CaSO4, Ag2SO4, Hg2SO4 are slightly
soluble.
4. All hydroxides are insoluble except those of Group I in the periodic table, NH 4+, and Ba2+. Ca(OH)2
and Sr(OH)2 are slightly soluble.
5. All carbonates and phosphates are insoluble except those in Groups 1 and 2 in the periodic table
and NH4+.

Write a word and balanced symbol equation, plus the overall ionic equation for one of the double
displacement precipitation reactions you observed.
Reactions between acids and bases are also double displacement reactions. They are also called
neutralization reactions. For example the reaction between nitric acid and the base sodium hydroxide.

Word Sodium Sodium

Nitric acid +  + water
equation hydroxide nitrate
Chemical
HNO3 (aq) + NaOH (aq)  NaNO3 (aq) + H2O(l)
equation

Write a word and balanced symbol equation for the acid-base neutralization reaction you observed.
a) Ag (s) + Cl2 (g)  AgCl3 (s)

b) N2O4 (g)  NO2 (g)

c) KCl (aq) + ZnSO4 (aq)  K2SO4 (aq) + ZnCl2 (aq)

d) Cu (s) + ZnO (s)  Cu2O3 (s) + Zn (s)

e) C2H6 (g) + O2 (g)  CO2 (g) + H2O (l) + Heat

f) H2O2 (aq)  O2 (g) + H2O (l)

2. Prepare your own balanced single replacement and double displacement reaction. Be
sure all compound formula are correct and all elements are in their proper pure form. The
reactions must be different to the ones shown in this packet.
[4 marks each: 2 for formula, 1 for balancing, 1 for proper reaction type]

Types of Chemical Reactions

It is important that you know the basic types of chemical reactions for the SAT II Chemistry test
since the test often refers to reactions as being of one type or another. Here’s a list of the different
types of reactions, with examples of each type included.
Synthesis reaction: This is a reaction in which two or more elements or compounds combine to
form a single product. This type of reaction follows the general equation
A + B C
where A and B may be either elements or compounds.
Here are some examples:
2Na ( s )  + Cl 2 ( g ) 2NaCl ( s )
MgO ( s )  + H 2 O ( l ) Mg(OH) 2 ( a q )
SO 2 ( g )  + H 2 O ( l ) H 2 SO 3 ( a q )
Decomposition reaction: In this type of reaction, a single reactant, a compound, breaks into two
or more parts. Often these are the most difficult to predict. Here is the general equation:
AB A  + B
where A and B may be either elements or compounds.
Here are some examples of decomposition reactions:
 2H 2 O ( l ) 2H 2 ( g )  + O 2 ( g )
H 2 CO 3 ( a q ) H 2 O ( l )  + CO 2 ( g )
CaCO 3 ( s ) CaO ( s )  + CO 2 ( g )
2KClO 3 ( s ) 2KCl ( s )  + 3O 2 ( g )
Single replacement or displacement reaction: In this type of reaction, a more active element
replaces a less active element in a compound. Among the halogens, F2is the most active halogen, and
the activity of the halogens decreases as you go down the group. For the metals, you will need to be
given an activity series. General equation:
A + BC AC + B
where A is a metal.
Here is an example of a displacement reaction in which a metal is involved:
Cu ( s )  + 2AgNO 3 ( a q ) 2Ag ( s )  + Cu(NO 3 ) 2 ( a q )
General equation:
A + BC BA + C
where A is a nonmetal.
Here is an example of a displacement reaction where a nonmetal is involved:
Cl 2 ( g )  + 2NaI ( a q ) 2NaCl ( a q )  + I 2 ( s )
Double replacement or displacement reaction: In this type of reaction, two compounds react
to form two new compounds. The formation of a molecular compound such as water, the formation
of a gas, or the formation of a precipitate usually drives these reactions. Here’s the general equation:
AB + CD AD + CB
And here are a couple of examples:
Pb(NO 3 ) 2 ( a q )  + 2KI ( a q ) 2KNO 3 ( a q )  + PbI 2 ( s )
HCl ( a q )  + NaOH ( a q ) H 2 O ( l )  + NaCl ( a q )