Chemical Reactions
and Equations
Key Concepts
• How can you recognize the
type of chemical reaction by
the number or type of
reactants and products?
• What are the different types
of chemical reactions?
Sticky Notes As you read,
use sticky notes to mark
information that you do not
understand. Read the text
carefully a second time. If
you still need help, write a
list of questions to ask your
teacher.
Make a four-door book to
organize your notes about
the different types of
chemical reactions.
Combustion Synthesis
Types of Chemical Reactions
Decomposition Replacement
160 Chemical Reactions and Equations
C334_010_013_RE_L2_889408.indd 10
Types of Chemical Reactions
What do you think? Read the two statements below and decide
whether you agree or disagree with them. Place an A in the Before column
if you agree with the statement or a D if you disagree. After you’ve read
this lesson, reread the statements to see if you have changed your mind.
Before Statement After
3. Reactions always start with two or more
substances that react with each other.
4. Water can be broken down into simpler
substances.
Patterns in Reactions
If you have ever used hydrogen peroxide, you might have
noticed that it comes in a dark bottle. This is because light
causes hydrogen peroxide to change into other substances.
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
You might have seen video of an old building or a sports
facility being demolished by an explosion. How is the
reaction between hydrogen and light similar to a building
being demolished? In both, one reactant breaks down into
two or more products.
The breakdown of one reactant into two or more
products is one of four major types of chemical reaction.
Each type of chemical reaction follows a unique pattern in
the way atoms in reactants rearrange to form products. In
this lesson, you will read how chemical reactions are
classified by recognizing patterns in the way the atoms
recombine.
Types of Chemical Reactions
Many different types of reactions can occur. It would be
impossible to memorize them all. However, most chemical
reactions fit into four major categories. Understanding these
categories of reactions can help you predict how compounds
will react and what products will form.
Reading Essentials
3/10/10 12:17:52 PM
 Synthesis
A synthesis (SIHN thuh sus) is a type of chemical reaction in which
Visual Check
two or more substances combine and form one compound. In the
synthesis reaction on the left below, magnesium (Mg) reacts 1. Identify How many
products result from a
with oxygen (O2) in the air and forms magnesium oxide
synthesis reaction?
(MgO). You can recognize a synthesis reaction because two
or more reactants form only one product.

Synthesis and Decomposition Reactions

Synthesis Reactions Decomposition Reactions

+ +

2Mg + O2 → 2MgO 2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2

magnesium oxygen magnesium oxide hydrogen peroxide water oxygen

Decomposition
In a decomposition reaction, one compound breaks down
and forms two or more substances. You can recognize a Key Concept Check
decomposition reaction because one reactant forms two or 2. Recognize How can you
more products. For example, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), tell the difference between
shown on the right above, decomposes and forms water (H2O) synthesis and decomposition
and oxygen gas (O2). Notice that decomposition is the reverse reactions?
of synthesis.

Replacement
In a replacement reaction, an atom or a group of atoms
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

replaces part of a compound. Two types of replacement

reactions can occur. The figure below describes both types.
In a single-replacement reaction, one element replaces another
element in a compound. In this type of reaction, an element and
a compound react and form a different element and a
different compound. In a double-replacement reaction, the Visual Check
negative ions in two compounds switch places, forming two new 3. Interpret In the single-
compounds. In this type of reaction, two compounds react replacement equation, which
and form two new compounds. elements switched places?

Replacement Reactions
Single Replacement Double Replacement

+ + + +
2AgNO3 + Cu → Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag Pb(NO3)2 + 2KI → 2KNO3 + PbI2
silver nitrate copper copper nitrate silver lead potassium potassium lead
nitrate iodide nitrate iodide

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Key Concept Check
4. Summarize What are
the different types of chemical
reactions?
Combustion
Combustion is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines
with oxygen and releases energy. A combustion reaction usually
releases energy as thermal energy and light energy. For
example, burning is a common combustion reaction. The
burning of fossil fuels produces the energy we use to cook
food, power vehicles, and light cities.
The equation in the figure below describes the burning of
the fossil fuel propane (C3H8). Combustion reactions always
contain oxygen (O2) as a reactant. These reactions often
produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Combustion Reactions
substance + O2 substance(s)

C3H8 + 5O2 3CO2 + 4H2O
Visual Check 
propane oxygen carbon water
5. Identify Which element dioxide
is common to all combustion
reactions?

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162 Chemical Reactions and Equations Reading Essentials

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 Mini Glossary
combustion: a chemical reaction in which a substance single replacement: a type of chemical reaction in which
combines with oxygen and releases energy one element replaces another element in a compound

decomposition: a type of chemical reaction in which one synthesis (SIHN thuh sus): a type of chemical reaction in
compound breaks down and forms two or more substances which two or more substances combine and form one
compound
double replacement: a type of chemical reaction in which
the negative ions in two compounds switch places, forming
two new compounds

1. Review the terms and their definitions in the Mini Glossary. Write a sentence that
identifies the types of energy that combustion usually releases.

2. Identify each type of chemical reaction described in the diagram.

Type:
substance + O2 substance(s)
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Type: Types of Chemical Type:

Reactions
A+B AB AB A+B

Type: Replacement
An atom or a group of atoms replaces
part of a compound.

Type: Type:
An element and a compound form a Two compounds form two new
different element and compound. compounds.

What do you think

Reread the statements at the beginning of the Connect ED
lesson. Fill in the After column with an A if you Log on to ConnectED.mcgraw-hill.com
agree with the statement or a D if you disagree. and access your textbook to find this END OF
Did you change your mind? lesson’s resources. LESSON

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