Physical Science 20 Reference Sheet-Types of Reactions
Synthesis Reactions (A + B  AB)
a)
b)
c)
d)
Combine 2 elements to make a compound (proper criss-cross)
Combine: non-metal oxide (acidic oxide) + H2O  acid (starts with H)
Combine: metal oxide (basic oxide) + H2O  base (criss-cross metal with OH1-)
Combine: non-metal oxide + metal oxide  salt (ionic compound with a polyatomic)
Just
come
together
Decomposition Reactions (AB  A + B)
a) Break down a compound into its 2 elements
b) Break down an acid  H2O + non-metal oxide
c) Break down a base  H2O + metal oxide
d) Break down a salt (that ends in either CO3, SO4 or ClO3)
(XCO3  XO + CO2;
XSO4  XO + SO3;
XClO3  XCl + O2)
Just
breaks
apart
opposite of
synthesis
reactions
Combustion Reactions (anything + O2  something)
Do proper
criss-cross for
XCl
a) Combustion (burning) of an element: metal + O2  metal oxide (proper criss-cross).
b) Combustion (burning) of a hydrocarbon to produce carbon dioxide & water
(CxHy + O2  CO2 + H2O)
Single Replacement Reactions (use activity series table)
a) Single replacement of one metal by another (A + BC  AC + B)
b) Single replacement of one halogen by another (D + EF  ED + F)
The Activity Series Table-USE FOR SINGLE REPLACEMENT RXNS!!!
Each metal will replace any metal ion that appears below it in the series.
Lithium
Potassium
Barium
Calcium
Sodium
Magnesium
Aluminum
Zinc
Iron
Nickel
Tin
Lead
These metals replace H from water (H-OH)
and acids
Each halogen will
replace any halide
ion that appears
below it.
These metals replace H from acids
NOTE: metals can NOT
replace non metals and
vice versa. DO NOT
combine these 2 charts!
Hydrogen
Copper
Mercury
Silver
Gold
Fluorine
Chlorine
Bromine
Iodine
These metals do not react with acids
or pure water
Double Replacement Reactions (use solubility rules table-backside of sheet)
a) Double replacement to give a precipitate (s) (AB + CD  AD + CB)
b) Double replacement to produce an acid or base (some can acids decompose further if you get “-“)
c) Double replacement of an acid and a base (neutralization; forms water)
(HA (aq) + BOH (aq)  BA (aq) + H2O (l))