Types of Chemical Reactions

5 Categories
Formation
Decomposition
Combustion
Single Replacement
Double Replacement
 Formation Reactions (synthesis)
 2 elements combine to form a compound
X + Y = XY
i.e. Na(s) + Cl2(g)  NaCl(s)

Pg. 104, Fig. 3.15 Fig. 3.16

 Decomposition Reactions
 one compound breaks down into two or more
simpler compounds or elements (opposite of
formation reactions)
XY  X + Y
2 H2O(l)  2H2(g) + O2(g) (electrolysis of H2O)
 Decomposition of Ammonium
Nitrate
NH4NO3(s)  N2O(g) + 2H2O(g)
 Hydrocarbon Combustion
A hydrocarbon (CnHn) (i.e. oil, fuel, natural
gas) reacts with oxygen gas to form carbon
dioxide gas and water vapor and heat.
i.e. CH4(g) + O2(g)  CO2(g) + H2O(g) + thermal energy
 Complete Combustion
Complete combustion: plenty of O2(g) – all
hydrocarbons burned to CO2(g) and H2O(g)
 Incomplete Combustion: not
enough O2(g) for complete combustion

• products are CO2(g) + H2O(g) + carbon soot + CO(g)

• carbon monoxide – colorless, odorless, highly toxic

gas

• CO(g)bonds 200x more strongly than O2(g) to

hemoglobin, can be fatal (suffocation)

• So NEVER operate fuel-burning apparatus without

proper ventilation
 Assignment
Find the formation, decomposition
and combustion reactions on the front
page of your notes (there are 6)
Complete all the practice problems
on this handout.