General Characteristics of the Five Reaction Types

1. Combination
a. 2 elements 1 compound
b. A + B AB
c. 2Na + Cl2 2NaCl
2. Decomposition
a. 1 compound 2 elements
b. XY X + Y
c. 2H2O 2H2 + O2
3. Single Replacement
a. Element + compound new element + new compound
b. A + BC BA + C (nonmetal replaces nonmetal)
c. X + YZ XZ + Y (metal replaces metal)
d. Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2
4. Double Replacement
a. 2 compounds 2 new compounds (switch partners)
b. AB + CD AD + CB
c. HCl + NaOH NaCl + HOH
5. Combustion
a. Substance + O2 oxide(s)
b. Hydrocarbons/alcohols + O2 CO2 + H2O
c. Metal + O2 metal oxide
d. Sulphur (or compound containing sulphur) + O2 SO2
e. Nitrogen (or compound containing nitrogen) + O2 NO2