1.1.4 Common types of reaction

1) Combustion: burning, ash, CO2, heat

An example of this kind of reaction is the burning of napthalene:

C10H8 + 12 O2 ---> 10 CO2 + 4 H2O

 

2) Synthesis (also known as Combination):

General form: A + C ---> AC

 

One example of a synthesis reaction is the combination of iron and sulfur to form iron  (II) sulfide:

8 Fe + S8 ---> 8 FeS

 

3) Decomposition: opposite of combination, something splits

Form: AC ---> A + C

 

One example of a decomposition reaction is the electrolysis of water to make oxygen  and hydrogen gas:

2 H2O ---> 2 H2 + O2

 

4) Single displacement (also known as Substitution): one replace the other, forming  new compound

Form: A + BC ---> AB + C

 

One example of a single displacement reaction is when magnesium replaces hydrogen  in water to make magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas:

Mg + 2 H2O  ---> Mg(OH)2 + H2


5) Double displacement: switch partners!

Form: AB + CD ---> AC + BD

AB + CD ---> AD + BC

 

Special kind of double displacement:

  1. Precipitation:

One example of a precipitation reaction is the reaction of Silver Nitrate and Hydrochloric Acid to make solid Silver Chloride and Nitric Acid

AgNO3 + HCl ---> AgCl + HNO3

  1. Acid-base neutralization:

One example of an acid-base reaction is the reaction of hydrobromic acid (HBr) with sodium hydroxide to form water and Sodium Bromide

HBr + NaOH ---> NaBr + H2O

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