decomposition;+Z.Shea-Hill

In this type of reaction, one compound breaks down into two compounds or atoms. The generic form is AB->A+B. An example is water breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen. To make this equation, write water's formula (H2O) and an arrow. Hydrogen and oxygen are the products and must be writen right of the arrow. Remember, water is H2O because of the charge of oxygen (-2).Your equation should be H2O->H2+O2. Let's balence this.
 * Decomposition**

__2__ **H** __2__ __1__ **O** __2__

The oxygen on the reactant side must be increased. Double it with a coefficient. Remember to only put your coefficient in front of the compound and to leave the formula alone. __4__ **H** __2 2__ **O** __2__ 2(H2O)->H2+O2

Now the hydrogen on the product side must be increased. Double it with a coefficient. __4__ **H** __4__ __2__ **O** __2__ 2(H2O)->2(H2)+O2

It is balenced!

If the red marbles were oxygen atoms and the silver were hydrogen atoms, then this model represents the equation.

Back