Types of chemical reactions

• Combustion
• Synthesis
• Decomposition
• Single displacement
• Double displacement
Synthesis (Combination) Reactions
Synthesis: two or more substances combine to form
one compound A + B AB
Reactants can be two elements or two compounds

Example:
Fe(s) + S(s)  Fe2S3
 Decomposition Reactions
Decomposition: compound breaks into two or
more elements or compounds AB A+B

Always involve only one reactant and two or more

products.

Most require an input of energy (often in the form

of heat).

Ex. HgO(s)  Hg(l) + O2(g)

 Combustion Reactions
Combustion: an element or compound reacts with
oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.
ALWAYS involve oxygen as a reactant
Frequently involve hydrocarbons
Ex. (CH) + O2 CO2 + H2O

2Mg(s) + O2(g) 2MgO(s)

Do not ALWAYS involve heat / fire
What other reaction can you think of from biology
class that produces CO2 and H2O?
 Single Replacement Reactions
Single replacement: one element replaces
another in a compound. Cations replace cations
and anions replace anions.
A + BC B + AC
Ex. Al(s) + CuCl2(aq) AlCl3(aq) + Cu(s)
Double Replacement Reactions
Double replacement: the cation of one compound
exchanges places with the cation of another
compound
AB + CD AD + CB
Will typically form a precipitate, a gas, or a
molecular compound such as H2O

Example:
NaCl + AgNO3  NaNO3 + AgCl
In your notes, write down each of
the chemical equations from the
lab that we did on Monday.

Identify each equation as the

correct type of reaction.
 But wait, there’s a catch!
• Single and Double Replacement reactions are
both a little bit more complicated than this.
• Certain combinations of elements/compounds
will not react, so we have to learn to predict
whether a reaction will occur.
• We will start with single replacement
reactions today, then move onto double
replacement next week.
• Single replacement reactions will not occur
between every combination of a metal and an
ionic compound.
• To determine if a reaction will occur, we will
check the activity series chart (on next slide).
• Find the solid metal on the chart, then find
the metal in the aqueous ionic compound. If
the solid metal is higher up on the chart, then
the reaction will occur. If the solid metal is
lower on the chart, then the reaction will not
occur.
Activity Series of Metals
Use the activity
series to determine
the results of
displacement
reactions.

More reactive metals

will “push” less
reactive ones out.

In general, elements
will displace those
BELOW them in the
activity series.

In general, the
farther apart the
elements are the
more quickly they
react.
 Using the activity series….
• Predict the products of the reactions. If the
reaction will not occur, write No Reaction or NR.
– I did the first two for you as examples.

Zn(s) + Cu2O (aq) ZnO(aq) + Cu(s)

Zn(s) + NaCl  NO REACTION
Mg(s) + PbCl2 (aq) 
Ni(s) + AlCl3 (aq) 
Cu(s) + AgNO3 (aq) 
Zn (s) + FeCl3 (aq) 
Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq)
If you have extra class time, remember
that you have a quiz on balancing
equations tomorrow.
• Helpful practice –
http://www.sciencegeek.net/Chemistry/taters/E
quationBalancing.htm

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemist
ry/chemical-reactions-stoichiome/balancing-
chemical-
equations/e/balancing_chemical_equations