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Types of Reactions 1. Synthesis

1. Synthesis reactions
2. Decomposition reactions Example C + O2
3. Single displacement reactions
4. Double displacement reactions C + O O  O C O
5. Combustion reactions

You need to be able to identify each type.

General: A + B  AB

Ex. Synthesis Reaction Practice

• Predict the products.

2 Na(s) + Cl2(g)  2 NaCl(s)

Mg(s) + F2(g)  MgF2(s)

2 Al(s) + 3 F2(g)  2 AlF3(s)

• Now, balance them.

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2. Decomposition Ex. Decomposition Reaction

Example: NaCl

Cl Na  Cl + Na

General: AB  A + B

3. Single Displacement Ex. Single Replacement Reaction

Example: Zn + CuCl2
Zn was oxidized
Went from neutral (0) to (+2)

Cu Zn
Cl + Cl +
Zn  Cu
Cl Cl
Cu was reduced
Went from (+2) to Neutral (0)

General: AB + C  AC + B

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Single Replacement Reactions 4. Double displacement

• Write and balance the following single Example: MgO + CaS
replacement reaction equation:
• Zn(s) + 2 HCl(aq)  ZnCl2 + H2(g)
Mg Ca Mg Ca
+  +
• 2 NaCl(s) + F2(g) 2 NaF(s) + Cl2(g) O S S O

•2 Al(s) + 3 Cu(NO3)2(aq)  3 Cu(s) + 2 Al(NO3)3(aq)

General: AB + CD  AD + CB

Double Replacement Reactions Practice

• Predict the products.
• Think about it like “foil”ing in algebra, first and 1. HCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) 
last ions go together + inside ions go together 2. CaCl2(aq) + Na3PO4(aq) 
• Example: 3. Pb(NO3)2(aq) + BaCl2(aq) 
AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(s)  AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq) 4. FeCl3(aq) + NaOH(aq) 
5. H2SO4(aq) + NaOH(aq) 
• Another example: 6. KOH(aq) + CuSO4(aq) 
K2SO4(aq) + Ba(NO3)2(aq) 2 KNO3(aq) + BaSO4(s)

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5. Combustion Reactions Combustion Reactions

• Combustion reactions - a
hydrocarbon reacts with
oxygen gas.
• This is also called
burning!!!
• In order to burn something
you need the 3 things in
the “fire triangle”:
• 1) Fuel (hydrocarbon)
2) Oxygen
3) Something to ignite the
reaction (spark)
• In general:
CxHy + O2  CO2 + H2O
• Products are ALWAYS
carbon dioxide and water.
(although incomplete burning
does cause some by-products
like carbon monoxide)
• Combustion is used to heat
homes and run automobiles
(octane, as in gasoline, is
C8H18)

Combustion Mixed Practice

• State the type & predict the products.
• Example
• C5H12 + 8 O2  5 CO2 + 6 H2O
1. BaCl2 + H2SO4 
• Write the products and balance the
following combustion reaction: 2. C6H12 + O2 
• C10H22 + O2  3. Zn + CuSO4 
4. Cs + Br2 
5. FeCO3 