decomposition+reactions.+(teaching+wiki..)


 * DECOMPOSITION REACTIONS**

//what happens:// a decomposition reaction is simply the opposite of a synthesis reaction. it occurs when a complex compound undergoes a chemical reaction that usually involves added heat or electricity and breaks down, //decomposes,// into two simpler elements and/or compounds.

//generic form of a decomposition reaction:// a decomposition reaction can be represented in a simple equation using variables; __AB --> A + B__.

EXAMPLE EQUATION //equation in sentence form:// __sulfuric acid reacts to form (or produce) sulfer trioxide and water__.

//change into formula equation:// the formula of sulfer trioxide is SO3. S for sulfer and trioxide is oxide-oxygen with a subscript of three. the formula of water is H2O, because as O has a charge of -2, and H has a charge of +1, there needs to be two of H to balance it out, this is represented by a subscript of 2 after H. H20 is the most common and well known chemical formula.la of sulfuric acid is H2SO4. it is an acid formed of hydrogen (charge of +1) and sulfate (SO4 with a charge of -2). like in water there needs to be two hydrogens to make the formula average out to zero, so H is given a subscript of 2. the given chemical formula for sulfuric acid is H2SO4. it is an acid formed of hydrogen (charge of +1) and sulfate (SO4 with a charge of -2). as in the formula for water there need to be two hydrogens so that the formula can average out to zero, so H is given a subscript of 2.

//balancing the equation:// right now the formula looks like this __H2SO4 --> SO3 + H20__. it looks like it is already balanced, but to make sure; check. there are two H's on the reactant side, and two on the product side. there is one S on the reactant side, and one on the product side. there are four O's on the reactant side. three O's in sulfite plus the one O in water make four O's ont the product side as well. the equation is already balanced!



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