Types of Chemical Reactions

Contributed by:

Jonathan James Mon, Jan 17, 2022 08:15 PM UTC

The highlights are:
1. Classifying reactions
2. Writing for combination and decomposition reactions
3. Why might you want to classify a chemical reaction?

1. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions>
Chapter 11
Chemical Reactions
11.1 Describing Chemical Reactions
11.2 Types of Chemical
Reactions
11.3 Reactions in Aqueous Solution
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2. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> CHEMISTRY &
CHEMISTRY & YOU
YOU
What happens to the wax when you burn
a candle?
When you burn a
candle, a chemical
reaction called
combustion takes
place.
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3. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Classifying Reactions
What are the five general types of
reactions?
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4. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
By classifying chemical reactions, you can
more easily predict what products are likely
to form.
The five general types of reactions
include combination, decomposition,
single-replacement, double-
replacement, and combustion.
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5. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Not all chemical reactions fit uniquely into
one category.
• Occasionally, a reaction may fit equally well
into two categories.
• Patterns of chemical behavior will become
apparent and allow you to predict the
products of reactions.
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6. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combination Reactions
The first type of reaction is the combination,
or synthesis, reaction.
• A combination reaction is a chemical
change in which two or more substances
react to form a single new substance.
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7. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combination Reactions
Magnesium
metal and
oxygen gas
combine to
form the
compound
magnesium
oxide.
2Mg(s) + O2 → 2 MgO(s)
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8. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combination Reactions
Notice that in this reaction, as in all
combination reactions, the product is a
single substance (MgO), which is a
compound.
• The reactants in this combination reaction
(Mg and O2) are two elements, which is often
the case.
• Two compounds may also combine to form a
single substance.
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9. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combination Reactions
When a Group A metal and a nonmetal
react, the product is a binary ionic
compound.
2K(s) + Cl2(g) → 2KCl(s)
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10. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combination Reactions
When two nonmetals react in a
combination reaction, more than one
product is often possible.
S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g) sulfur dioxide
2S(s) + 3O2(g) → 2SO3(s) sulfur trioxide
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11. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combination Reactions
More than one product may also result
from the combination reaction of a
transition metal and a nonmetal.
Fe(s) + S(s) → FeS(s) iron(II) sulfide
2Fe(s) + 3S(g) → Fe2S3(s) iron(III) sulfide
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12. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Decomposition Reactions
Some chemical reactions are the opposite
of combination reactions.
• When
mercury(II)
oxide is heated,
it decomposes
or breaks down
into two simpler
substances.
heat
2HgO(s) 2Hg(l) + O2(g)
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13. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Decomposition Reactions
A decomposition reaction is a chemical
change in which a single compound breaks
down into two or more simpler products.
• Decomposition reactions involve only one
reactant and two or more products.
• The products can be any combination of
elements and compounds.
• Most decomposition reactions require energy
in the form of heat, light, or electricity.
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14. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Decomposition Reactions
Did you know that a decomposition reaction
happens when a vehicle’s air bag inflates?
• A device that triggers the reaction is placed
in the air bag along with sodium azide
pellets.
• When the device is triggered, the sodium
azide pellets decompose and release
nitrogen gas, which inflates the air bag
quickly.
2NaN3(s) → 2Na(s) + 3N2(g)
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15. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.4
Writing Equations for Combination
and Decomposition Reactions
Write a balanced equation for
each of the following reactions.
a. Combination of copper and sulfur:
Cu(s) + S(s) → (two reactions possible)
b. Decomposition of water:
electricity
H2O(l)
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16. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.4
1 Analyze Identify the relevant concepts.
Two combination reactions are possible
because copper is a transition metal
and has more than one common ionic
charge (Cu+ and Cu2+).
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17. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.4
2 Solve Apply concepts to this problem.
Write the formula for the product(s) in
each reaction.
Note that Cu2S
a. Copper(I) sulfide Cu2S(s) and CuS
Copper(II) sulfide CuS(s) represent different
products from
b. H2(g) different
O2(g) reactions.
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18. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.4
2 Solve Apply concepts to this problem.
Write a skeleton equation for each
reaction.
a. For Copper(I):
Cu(s) + S(s) → Cu2S(s)
For Copper(II):
Cu(s) + S(s) → CuS(s)
electricity
b. H2O H2(g) + O2(g)
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19. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.4
2 Solve Apply concepts to this problem.
Apply the rules for balancing equations.
a. For Copper(I):
2Cu(s) + S(s) → Cu2S(s)
For Copper(II): the skeleton equation is
already balanced.
Cu(s) + S(s) → CuS(s)
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20. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.4
2 Solve Apply concepts to this problem.
Apply the rules for balancing equations.
electricity
b. H2O(l) H2(g) + O2(g)
The hydrogen is balanced, but the oxygen is not.
After balancing the oxygen, you must rebalance
the hydrogen atoms.
electricity
2H2O(l) H2(g) + O2(g)
electricity
2H2O(l) 2H2(g) + O2(g)
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21. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
Dropping a small piece of potassium into a
beaker of water creates the vigorous
reaction.
2K(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H2
• The released
hydrogen gas
can ignite
explosively.
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22. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
If you drop a piece of zinc into a solution of
copper nitrate, this reaction occurs:
Zn(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq) → Cu(s) + Zn(NO3)2(aq)
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23. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
These equations describe two examples of
single-replacement reaction.
2K(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H2(g)
Zn(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq) → Cu(s) + Zn(NO3)2
• A single-replacement reaction is one in
which one element replaces a second
element in a compound.
– You can identify a single-replacement reaction by
noting that both the reactants and the products
consist of an element and a compound.
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24. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
Zn(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq) → Cu(s) + Zn(NO3)2
In the equation above, zinc and copper
change places.
• The reacting element Zn replaces copper in
the reactant compound Cu(NO3)2.
• The products are the element Cu and the
compound Zn(NO3)2.
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25. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.5
Writing Equations for Single-
Replacement Reactions
Write a balanced equation for the
single-replacement reaction.
Cl2(aq) + NaBr(aq) →
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26. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.5
1 Analyze Identify the relevant concepts.
Chlorine is more Hint: You’re starting
reactive than bromine with an unequal
number of atoms:
and displaces reactants:
bromine from its – 2 chlorine atoms
compounds. – 1 sodium atom
– 1 bromine atom
products:
– 1 chlorine atom
– 1 sodium atom
– 2 bromine atoms
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27. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.5
2 Solve Apply concepts to this problem.
• Write the skeleton equation.
Cl2(aq) + NaBr(aq) → NaCl(aq) + Br2(aq)
• Apply the rules for balancing equations.
Cl2(aq) + 2NaBr(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + Br2(aq)
(balanced)
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28. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
Activity Series of Metals
Whether one metal will
Name Symbol
displace another metal from Lithium Li
a compound depends upon Calcium Ca
the relative reactivities of the Sodium Na
two metals. Magnesium Mg
Aluminum Al
• Iron will displace copper Zinc Zn
from a copper compound in Iron Fe
solution, but iron does not Lead Pb
similarly displace zinc or Copper Cu
calcium. Mercury Hg
Silver Ag
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29. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
Activity Series of Metals
Whether one metal will
Name Symbol
displace another metal from Lithium Li
a compound depends upon Calcium Ca
the relative reactivities of the Sodium Na
two metals. Magnesium Mg
Aluminum Al
• The activity series of Zinc Zn
metals lists metals in order Iron Fe
of decreasing reactivity. Lead Pb
• A reactive metal will replace Copper Cu
any metal listed below it in Mercury Hg
the activity series. Silver Ag
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30. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
A halogen can also replace another halogen from
a compound.
• The activity of halogens decreases as you go down
Group 7A of the periodic table—fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, and iodine.
• Bromine is more active than iodine, so this reaction
occurs:
Br2(aq) + 2NaI(aq) → 2NaBr(aq) + I2(aq)
• But bromine is less active than chlorine, so this
reaction does not occur:
Br2(aq) + NaCl(aq) → No reaction
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31. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Double-Replacement Reactions
Mixing aqueous solutions of potassium iodide
and lead(II) nitrate results in a chemical
reaction in
which a yellow
precipitate of
solid lead(II)
iodide is
formed.
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32. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Double-Replacement Reactions
2KI(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) → PbI2 + 2KNO3(aq)
This is an example of a double-replacement
reaction, which is a chemical change involving an
exchange of positive ions between two compounds.
• Double-replacement reactions are also referred to as
double-displacement reactions.
• They generally take place in aqueous solution and often
produce a precipitate, a gas, or a molecular compound
such as water.
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33. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Double-Replacement Reactions
For a double-replacement reaction to
occur, one of the following is usually true:
1. One of the products is only slightly soluble
and precipitates from solution.
2. One of the products is a gas.
3. One product is a molecular compound such
as water.
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34. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.6
Writing Equations for Double-
Replacement Reactions
A precipitate of barium carbonate is
formed when aqueous solutions of barium
chloride react with potassium carbonate.
Write a balanced chemical equation for
the double-replacement reaction.
K2CO3(aq) + BaCl2(aq) →
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35. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.6
1 Analyze Identify the relevant concepts.
The driving force behind the reaction is
the formation of a precipitate.
• Write correct formulas of the products
using ionic charges.
• Then balance the equation.
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36. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.6
2 Solve Apply concepts to this problem.
• Write the skeleton equation.
K2CO3(aq) + BaCl2(aq) → KCl(aq) + BaCO3(s)
• Apply the rules for balancing equations.
K2CO3(aq) + BaCl2(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + BaCO3(s)
(balanced)
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37. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combustion Reactions
The flames of a campfire, candle, or gas
grill are evidence that a combustion
reaction is taking place.
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38. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combustion Reactions
A combustion reaction is a chemical
change in which an element or a compound
reacts with oxygen, often producing energy
in the form of heat and light.
• A combustion reaction always involves
oxygen as a reactant.
• Often the other reactant is a hydrocarbon,
which is a compound composed of hydrogen
and carbon.
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39. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combustion Reactions
The complete combustion of a hydrocarbon
produces carbon dioxide and water.
• But if the supply of oxygen is limited during a
reaction, the combustion will not be complete.
• Elemental carbon (soot) and toxic carbon
monoxide gas may be additional products.
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40. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combustion Reactions
The complete combustion of a hydrocarbon
releases a large amount of energy as heat.
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)
• That’s why
hydrocarbons
such as methane
(CH4), propane
(C3H8), and
butane (C4H10)
are important
fuels.
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41. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combustion Reactions
Gasoline is a mixture of hydrocarbons
that can be approximately represented
by the formula C8H18.
• The complete combustion of gasoline in a car
engine is shown by this equation:
2C8H18(l) + 25O2(g) → 16CO2(g) + 18H2O(g)
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42. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Combustion Reactions
The reactions between oxygen and some
elements other than carbon are also
examples of combustion reactions.
• Both magnesium and sulfur will burn in the
presence of oxygen.
• Notice that the reactions could also be
classified as combination reactions.
2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(s)
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43. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> CHEMISTRY &
CHEMISTRY & YOU
YOU
Materials such as candle wax contain
hydrogen and carbon. One type of
wax has a formula of C25H53. The wax
reacts with oxygen in the air. So, what
happens to the wax as it burns?
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44. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> CHEMISTRY &
CHEMISTRY & YOU
YOU
Materials such as candle wax contain
hydrogen and carbon. One type of
wax has a formula of C25H53. The wax
reacts with oxygen in the air. So, what
happens to the wax as it burns?
The wax undergoes a combustion reaction with
oxygen and is converted into carbon dioxide and
water.
4C25H53(s) + 103O2(g) → 100CO2(g) + 106H2O(g)
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45. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.7
Writing Equations for Combustion
Reactions
An alcohol lamp often uses
ethanol as its fuel. Write a
balanced equation for the
complete combustion of ethanol.
C2H6O(l)
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46. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.7
1 Analyze Identify the relevant concepts.
• Oxygen is the other reactant in a
combustion reaction.
• The products are CO2 and H2O.
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47. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Sample Problem 11.7
2 Solve Apply concepts to this problem.
• Write the skeleton equation.
C2H6O(l) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(g)
• Apply the rules for balancing equations.
C2H6O(l) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)
(balanced)
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48. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
Now that you have learned about some of
the basic reaction types, you can predict
the products of many reactions.
• The number of elements and/or compounds
reacting is a good indicator of possible
reaction type and, thus, possible products.
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49. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
In a combination reaction, two or more
reactants (elements or compounds) combine
to form a single product.
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50. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
In a decomposition reaction, a single
compound is the reactant; two or more
substances are the products.
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51. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
An element and a compound are the reactants
in a single-replacement reaction.
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52. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
In a double-replacement reaction, two ionic
compounds are the reactants; two new
compounds are the products.
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53. Classifying
11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Reactions
The reactants in a combustion reaction are oxygen
and usually a hydrocarbon. The products of most
combustion reactions are carbon dioxide and water.
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55. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions>
Why might you want to classify a
chemical reaction?
Classifying a chemical reaction helps you
predict what products will form.
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56. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Key Concepts
The five general types of reactions are
combination, decomposition, single-
replacement, double-replacement, and
combustion.
The number of elements and/or
compounds reacting is a good indicator
of possible reaction type and, thus,
possible products.
In a combination reaction, there is
always a single product.
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57. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Key Concepts
A decomposition reaction involves the
breakdown of a single compound into two
or more simpler substances.
In a single-replacement reaction, both the
reactants and the products are an element
and a compound.
A double-replacement reaction generally
takes place between two ionic compounds
in aqueous solution.
A combustion reaction always involves
oxygen as a reactant.
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58. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Glossary Terms
• combination reaction: a chemical change in
which two or more substances react to form a
single new substance; also called a synthesis
reaction
• decomposition reaction: a chemical change
in which a single compound is broken down
into two or more simpler products
• single-replacement reaction: a chemical
change in which one element replaces a
second element in a compound; also called a
displacement reaction
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59. 11.2 Types of Chemical Reactions> Glossary Terms
• activity series: a list of elements in order of
decreasing activity; the activity series of
halogens is Fl, Cl, Br, I
• double-replacement reaction: a chemical
change that involves an exchange of positive
ions between two compounds
• combustion reaction: a chemical change in
which an element or a compound reacts with
oxygen, often producing energy in the form of
heat and light
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