In physical science/chemistry, there are four basic types of reactions- synthesis, decomposition, single

displacement, and double displacement. To help grasp these concepts, students can create visual analogies
following supplied models, such as the following:
1.

Synthesis:

Two separate elements or molecules chemically join to form one new molecule.
Chemical examples: 2 H2 + 02
2 H 20
2 NH3 (ammonia)
N2 + 3 H2

Visual analogy: A hungry dog + a piece of meat yields a happy dog with meat in his stomach.

2.

Decomposition:

One molecule is broken chemically into two different elements or molecules.

2 H2 + 02
Chemical examples:
2 H2 0
CaO + C02
CaCO3
(limestone)

(lime)

(carbon dioxide)

Visual analogy: Boiling sugar water yields sugar and water (steam).

3.

Single Replacement: A single element chemically replaces another element in an existing molecule,
yielding in a new molecule and a different free element
2 Ag + Cu(NO3)2
Chemical examples:
Cu + 2 AgNO3
(copper) (silver nitrate)

(silver) (copper nitrate)

2 K + 2 H 20
(potassium) (water)

Visual analogy:

4.

H2 + 2 KOH
(hydrogen) (potassium hydroxide)

A big dog + a small dog with a bone yields a big dog with a bone and a small dog without
a bone.

Double Replacement: Two different molecules chemically exchange elements, yielding two new molecules.
C3CI2 +
H2CO3
Chemical examples: CaCO3 + 2 HCI
(calcium carbonate) (hydrochloric acid)

Pb(NO3)2 + 2 Kl
(lead nitrate) (potassium iodide)

Visual analogy:

(calcium chloride) (carbonic acid)

Pbl2

2 KNO3

(lead iodide) (potassium nitrate)

A dog with a fish + a cat with a bone yields a dog with a bone and a cat with a fish.