SYNTHESIS &

DECOMPOSITION
SCH3U
TERRANCE TAM
SUCCESS CRITERIA:

:(
I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that
exist as diatomic molecules.
:/
I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a
balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:)
I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and
write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
There are five main types of reactions that we are going to look at this
semester:

- synthesis
- decomposition
- single displacement
- double displacement
- combustion

** My suggestion is to start a “cheat sheet” for each reaction.

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
In a synthesis reaction, two or more chemicals react to form one kind of
chemical.

Ex. magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide

2Mg(s) + O2(g) -> 2MgO(s)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
Notice that Mg in this reaction exists as a single element, while O exists as
O2. O2 is also known as a diatomic molecule.

The other elements that exist

as diatomic molecules are:

H, N, O, Cl, Br, F, I

In any chemical reaction, these

elements will exist as diatomic molecules.
:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
There are eight different types of synthesis reactions:

1. metal and nonmetal

2. metal and metal
3. nonmetal and nonmetal
4. element and compound
5. element and molecule
6. compound and compound
7. molecule and compound
8. molecule and molecule
:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
You cannot predict which molecule will form in all of the above reactions,
EXCEPT for the first one:

1. nonmetal + metal

In this case, we can predict which molecule will form. I will not ask you what
molecule will form for the other synthesis reactions.

(There actually is one more specific example we will predict at the end.)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
There are two simple steps to follow to predict the products of a nonmetal
and metal synthesis reaction.

1. Name the compound that is formed (name of the metal is first, followed
by the nonmetal - change the ending of the nonmetal to -ide).

2. Convert the name to a formula.

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
Ex. Write out the reaction for magnesium with nitrogen.

magnesium + nitrogen -> ???

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
 magnesium + nitrogen -> magnesium nitride

Mg(s) + N2(g) -> Mg3N2(s)

Balancing the above equation:

3Mg(s) + N2(g) -> Mg3N2(s)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
PRACTICE:

a) Write out the reaction for sodium with oxygen.

b) ** Write out the reaction for copper and chlorine.

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
PRACTICE:

a) Write out the reaction for sodium with oxygen.

4Na(s) + O2(g) -> 2Na2O(s) (sodium oxide)

b) ** Write out the reaction for copper and chlorine.

2Cu(s) + Cl2(g) -> 2CuCl(s) (copper (I) chloride)

Cu(s) + Cl2(g) -> CuCl2(s) (copper (II) chloride)
:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
Ex. Write out the reaction for nitrogen with oxygen.

N2(g) + O2(g) -> ???

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
 N2(g) + O2(g) -> N2O(g) OR NO2(g) OR N2O3(g) OR…

Notice that the product of this reaction

(nonmetal and nonmetal) has multiple
possibilities. Therefore, you will never
be expected to predict the result of
this type of synthesis reaction.

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
Ex. Write out the reaction for water and sulfur dioxide.

H2O(l) + SO2(g) -> ???

When we are reacting water with a molecule, we can usually assume that
one molecule of water will react with one molecule of the other.

H2O(l) + SO2(g) -> H2SO3(aq)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
PRACTICE:

a) Write out the reaction for water and carbon dioxide.

b) Write out the reaction for water and sulfur trioxide.

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
PRACTICE:

a) Write out the reaction for water and carbon dioxide.

H2O(l) + CO2(g) -> H2CO3(aq) (carbonic acid)

b) Write out the reaction for water and sulfur trioxide.

H2O(l) + SO3(g) -> H2SO4(aq) (sulfuric acid)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS:

S(g) + O2(g) -> SO2(g)

2SO2(g) + O2(g) -> 2SO3(g)

SO3(g) + H2O(l) -> H2SO4(aq)

(sulfuric acid / acid rain)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
In a decomposition reaction, a molecule or compound breaks into many
molecules or compounds.

Examples:

NaCl(l) -> Na(l) + Cl2(g)

HgO(s) -> Hg(l) + O2(g)
CaCO3(s) -> CaO(s) + CO2(g)
C7H5N3O6(s) -> N2(g) + H2O(g) + CO2(g) + C(g)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
Decomposition reactions occur when you heat a compound to a high
temperature, zap it with electricity, or for some substances, if you just shake
it.

NaCl(l) + heat -> Na(l) + Cl2(g)

HgO(s) + electricity -> Hg(l) + O2(g)
CaCO3(s) + heat -> CaO(s) + CO2(g)
C7H5N3O6(s) + shaking -> N2(g) + H2O(g) + CO2(g) + C(g)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
Using electricity to cause a decomposition reaction is called electrolysis.

Electrolysis almost always causes a compound to break into its elements.

Ex. Al2O3(l) + electricity -> Al(l) + O2(g)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
If shaking a chemical causes a decomposition reaction, then that compound
is very dangerous and explosive.

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
There are four main types of decomposition.

1. If the compound or molecule is made of only two elements, it will probably

break down into these elements.

2NaCl(l) -> 2Na(l) + Cl2(g)

2HgO(s) -> 2Hg(l) + O2(g)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
2. If the original substance is a metal nitrate (NO3-), it will probably break
into a metal nitrite and oxygen gas.

2NaNO3(s) -> 2NaNO2(s) + O2(g)

sodium nitrate -> sodium nitrite + oxygen gas

(Recall that nitrites have lost an oxygen from nitrates)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
3. If the original substance is a metal carbonate (CO32-), it will probably
break down into a metal oxide and carbon dioxide.

CaCO3(s) -> CaO(s) + CO2(g)

calcium carbonate -> calcium oxide + carbon dioxide

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
4. If the original substance is a metal hydroxide (OH-), it will probably break
down into a metal oxide and water.

Ca(OH)2(s) -> CaO(s) + H2O(g)

calcium hydroxide -> calcium oxide + water

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
PRACTICE:

What would you predict the products to be in the following decomposition

reactions? (make sure you balance the final equation)

a) Na2CO3(s) ->
b) K2O(s) ->
c) Pb(NO3)4(s) ->

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
PRACTICE:

What would you predict the products to be in the following decomposition

reactions? (make sure you balance the final equation)

a) Na2CO3(s) -> Na2O(s) + CO2(g)

b) 2K2O(s) -> 4K(s) + O2(g)
c) Pb(NO3)4(s) -> Pb(NO2)4(s) + 2O2(g)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS:

3N2H4(l) -> 4NH3(g) + N2(g)

N2H4(l) -> N2(g) + 2H2(g)

(N2H4(l) - hydrazine)

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS:

:( I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that exist as diatomic molecules.
:/ I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:) I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
SUCCESS CRITERIA:

:(
I understand what diatomic molecules are and can list out the elements that
exist as diatomic molecules.
:/
I can recognize and predict the products of synthesis reactions and write a
balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
:)
I can recognize and predict the products of decomposition reactions and
write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.
HOMEWORK:
- finish the SYNTHESIS & DECOMPOSITION WORKSHEET
EXTENDED READING:
> none

PRACTICE PROBLEMS:
> none