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4.7 Types of Chemical Reactions

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Broad Categories

Depending on how many reactants and products there are, reactions can be classified into different types.

Synthesis reactions occur when two or more reactants combine to form a single product; for example:

2Mg+O2→2MgO2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO

Decomposition reactions occur when one reactant breaks down into two or more products; for example:

CaCO3→CaO+CO2CaCO_3 \rightarrow CaO + CO_2

Single replacement reactions involve one element replacing another in a compound; for example:

Zn+2HCl→ZnCl2+H2Zn + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2

Double replacement reactions involve the exchange of ions between two compounds; for example:

BaCl2+Na2SO4→BaSO4+2NaClBaCl_2 + Na_2SO_4 \rightarrow BaSO_4 + 2NaCl

In this unit

9 lessons

  1. 4.1Introduction for ReactionsPreview lesson
  2. 4.2Net Ionic EquationsPreview lesson
  3. 4.3Representations of ReactionsPreview lesson
  4. 4.4Physical and Chemical ChangesPreview lesson
  5. 4.5StoichiometryPreview lesson
  6. 4.6Introduction to TitrationPreview lesson
  7. 4.7Types of Chemical ReactionsThis lesson
  8. 4.8Introduction to Acid-Base ReactionsPreview lesson
  9. 4.9Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) ReactionsPreview lesson

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