Classifying, Writing, and Balancing Equations
There are certain molecules that are made up of two atoms. They are never alone in nature. They are called diatomic molecules!
These diatomic molecules are: H 2, O 2, N 2, F 2, Cl 2, Br 2, I 2
A. Synthesis Reactions
Direct union of two elements will produce a binary compound.
element + element compound Synthesis Reaction General Formula
Example 1: a. Classify the following equation. Na + Cl 2 NaCl element compound 22 b. Balance the equation. Classification: synthesis reaction
Example 2: Aluminum + Chlorine Al+Cl 2 AlCl 3 322
B. Decomposition Reactions
Decomposition reactions are the reverse of synthesis reactions. *A binary compound will decompose into two elements.
compound element + element Decomposition Reaction General Formula
Example 1: a. Classify the following equation. Nb 2 O 5 Nb + O 2 compoundelement 42 b. Balance the equation. Classification: decomposition reaction 5
Example 2: Sodium nitride is heated. Na 3 N Na+N2N2 62
C. Single Displacement Reactions
During single displacement reactions, one element replaces another element in a compound. *Cations only replace cations and anions only replace anions.
element + compound element + compound Single Displacement Reaction General Formula
Example 1: a. Classify the following equation. Br 2 + NaI NaBr + I 2 compound element 2 b. Balance the equation. Classification: single displacement reaction 2 element
Example 2: Aluminum is added to hydrochloric acid. Al AlCl 3 + H2H2 +HCl
Example 2: Aluminum is added to hydrochloric acid. Al AlCl 3 + H2H HCl6 3
D. Double Displacement Reactions
During double displacement reactions, the cation of one compound replaces the cation in another compound.
compound + compound compound + compound Double Displacement Reaction General Formula
Example 1: a. Classify the following equation. CaBr 2 + Na 3 PO 4 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 + NaBr compound 3 b. Balance the equation. Classification: double displacement reaction 2 compound 6
Example 2: Aluminum nitrate is added to barium oxalate. Al(NO 3 ) 3 Al 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 + Ba(NO 3 ) 2 + BaC 2 O 4
Example 2: Aluminum nitrate is added to barium oxalate. Al(NO 3 ) 3 Al 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 +Ba(NO 3 ) 2 2 +BaC 2 O 4 3 3
E. Combustion Reactions
A combustion reaction is the reaction of a hydrocarbon and oxygen to yield carbon dioxide and water.
compound + element compound + compound Combustion Reaction General Formula hydrocarbon + oxygen CO 2 + H 2 O
Example 1: a. Classify the following equation. C 3 H 8 + O 2 CO 2 + H 2 O elementcompound 3 b. Balance the equation. Classification: combustion reaction 5 compound 4
Example 2: Ethane (C 2 H 6 ) is burned. C2H6C2H6 CO 2 +H2OH2O 2 +O2O2 7 64