Types of Chemical Reactions

The basis for different types of reactions is the product formed, the changes that occur, the reactants involved and so on. Different types of reactions are

• Combustion reaction
• Decomposition reaction
• Neutralization reaction
• Redox Reaction
• Precipitation or Double-Displacement Reaction
• Synthesis reaction

1. Combustion Reaction

A combustion reaction is a reaction with a combustible material with an oxidizer to give an oxidized product. An oxidizer is a chemical a fuel requires to burn, generally oxygen. Consider the example of combustion of magnesium metal.

2𝑀𝑔+𝑂2→2𝑀𝑔𝑂+𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡

Here, 2 magnesium atoms react with a molecule of oxygen producing 2 molecules of the compound magnesium oxide releasing some heat in the process.

2. Decomposition Reaction

A Decomposition reaction is a reaction in which a single component breaks down into multiple products. Certain changes in energy in the environment have to be made like heat, light or electricity breaking bonds of the compound. Consider the example of the decomposition of calcium carbonate giving out CaO (Quick Lime) which is a major component of cement.

𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3(𝑠)→𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝐶𝑎𝑂(𝑠)+𝐶𝑂2(𝑔)

Here, the compound Calcium carbonate when heated breaks down into Calcium Oxide and Carbon Dioxide.

3. Neutralization Reaction

A Neutralization reaction is basically the reaction between an acid and a base giving salt and water as the products. The water molecule formed is by the combination of OH^– ions and H⁺ ions. The overall pH of the products when a strong acid and a strong base undergo a neutralization reaction will be 7. Consider the example of the neutralization reaction between Hydrochloric acid and Sodium Hydroxide giving out sodium chloride(Common Salt) and water.

𝐻𝐶𝑙+𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻→𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙+𝐻2𝑂

Here, an acid and a base, Hydrochloric acid and Sodium Hydroxide react in a neutralization reaction to produce Sodium Chloride(Common Salt) and water as the products.

4. Redox Reaction

A REDuction-OXidation reaction is a reaction in which there is a transfer of electrons between chemical species. Let us consider the example of an electrochemical cell-like redox reaction between Zinc and Hydrogen.

𝑍𝑛+2𝐻+→𝑍𝑛2++𝐻2

Here, A Zinc atom reacts with 2 ions of positively charged hydrogen to which electrons get transferred from the zinc atom and hydrogen becomes a stable molecule and Zinc ion is the product.

5. Precipitation or Double-Displacement Reaction

It is a type of displacement reaction in which two compounds react and consequently, their anions and cations switch places forming two new products. Consider the example of the reaction between silver nitrate and sodium chloride. The products will be silver chloride and sodium nitrate after the double-displacement reaction.

𝐴𝑔𝑁𝑂3+𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙→𝐴𝑔𝐶𝑙+𝑁𝑎𝑁𝑂3

Here, Silver Nitrate and Sodium Chloride undergo a double displacement reaction. Wherein Silver replaces Sodium in Sodium Chloride and Sodium joins with Nitrate becoming Sodium Nitrate along with the Silver Chloride as the product.

6. Synthesis Reaction

A Synthesis reaction is one of the most basic types of reaction wherein multiple simple compounds combine under certain physical conditions giving out a complex product. The product will always be a compound. Let us consider the Synthesis reaction of sodium chloride with reactants solid sodium and chloride gas.

2𝑁𝑎(𝑠)+𝐶𝑙2(𝑔)→2𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙(𝑠)

Here, we have 2 Atoms of solid Sodium reacting with Chlorine gas giving out Sodium Chloride viz. Common Salt as the product.