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Two Categories Of Chemical Reaction Research

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A second category of chemical reaction is a decompasition. A decompasition reaction occurs when one molecule, is broken down into simpler one. For example, hydrogen peroxide, a common household disinfectant, slowly breaks down into liquid water and oxygen gas over time. The reaction for this process is 2H2O2 --> 2H2O + O2.

Another category of chemical reactions is single-replacement. In a single-replacement reaction, a molecule composed of a cation, or atom with a positive charge, and an anion, or atom with a negative charge, is introduced to a pure element. When mixed together, the anion from the reactant molecule will transfer over to the pure element, causing the original cation to become a pure element. When magnesium metal is placed in hydrochloric acid: Mg + 2HCl --> MgCl2 + H2. Here, it can be seen that the chlorine anion that was a part of the hydrochloric acid is transferred to the pure magnesium, leaving behind hydrogen.

Double-replacement reactions are yet another type of chemical reactions. A double-replacement reaction also involves the transfer of anions. However, unlike a single-replacement reaction, a double-replacement reaction has two anions being intrechanged. An example of this type of reaction would be the combination of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide to form water and sodium chloride: HCl + NaOH --> H2O + …show more content…

An example of a redox reaction would be, again, the addition of magnesium metal to hydrochloric acid: Mg + 2HCl --> MgCl2 + H2. Here, the magnesium metal originally had a charge of "0" (since it was by itself) and hydrogen originally had a charge of "+1". After the reaction, however, magnesium has a charge of "+2" and hydrogen has a charge of "0" (again, because it is now by itself). Because of this, it is said that magnesium experienced oxidation, or went up in charge, and hydrogen experienced reduction, or went down in charge, hence why this reaction exemplifies a

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