General Characteristics of the Five Reaction Types

1. Combination
a. 2 elements  1 compound
b. A + B  AB
c. 2Na + Cl2  2NaCl
2. Decomposition
a. 1 compound  2 elements
b. XY  X + Y
c. 2H2O  2H2 + O2
3. Single Replacement
a. Element + compound  new element + new compound
b. A + BC  BA + C (nonmetal replaces nonmetal)
c. X + YZ  XZ + Y (metal replaces metal)
d. Zn + 2HCl  ZnCl2 + H2
4. Double Replacement
a. 2 compounds  2 new compounds (switch partners)
b. AB + CD  AD + CB
c. HCl + NaOH  NaCl + HOH
5. Combustion
a. Substance + O2  oxide(s)
b. Hydrocarbons/alcohols + O2  CO2 + H2O
c. Metal + O2  metal oxide
d. Sulphur (or compound containing sulphur) + O2  SO2
e. Nitrogen (or compound containing nitrogen) + O2  NO2