There are various types of chemical reactions that occur in chemistry, but many reactions tend to follow 1 of 5 main types. Becoming familiar with these types of chemical reactions will be the catalyst the speeds up your understanding of chemistry! The following are the 5 main types of reactions:
Synthesis
A synthesis reaction is where multiple compounds combine into one or more complex compounds. The left side of the reaction will have more compounds than the right side, meaning there are fewer products than reactants. An example of a synthesis reaction is sodium and chlorine combining to make sodium chloride (table salt).
Decomposition
A decomposition reaction is one where one compound breaks up into multiple simpler compounds. A decomposition reaction is often caused by the addition of energy (heat, light, etc.) to a compound. An example of a decomposition reaction would be water decomposing into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas by running an electric current through it.
Single Displacement
One more reactive element will replace another less reactive element in a compound.
In the following example, the copper is more reactive than silver, so it replaces silver in the original compound.
Double Displacement
In a double displacement reaction two chemical compounds swap ions. Since these compounds are ionic, it is the two positively charged ions that swap places or the two negatively charged ions (same process). The resulting compounds must still each contain one positive and one negatively charged ion.
Neutralization
A neutralization reaction is a type of double displacement reaction where an acid and a base react together to form water and a salt (an ionic compound, such as sodium chloride). The products are neutral, meaning they have a pH of 7.
Combustion
A complete combustion reaction typically involves a hydrocarbon (compound made of oxygen and hydrogen atoms) and oxygen burning to produce carbon dioxide and water. Incomplete combustion may result in other compounds forming such as solid carbon in the form of soot.
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