Types of Chemical Reactions

The substances that react during a chemical reaction are known as reactants, whereas the substances that are created during a chemical reaction are known as products.

Various Types of Chemical Reactions 

The five different types of chemical reactions are as follows:

1.Combination reaction 

2.Decomposition reaction

3.Displacement Reaction

4.Double displacement Reaction

5.Precipitation Reaction

1.  Combination Reaction

When two or more reactants combine to form a single product, this is referred to as a combination reaction.

It is written as X + Y = XY.

A combination reaction is also known as a synthesis reaction.

Combination response illustration: 2Na + Cl₂ = 2NaCl

2.  Decomposition Reaction

A decomposition reaction occurs when a single chemical breaks down into two or more smaller components.

It has the formula XY= X + Y.

A decomposition reaction is the exact inverse of a combination reaction.

Decomposition reaction illustration: CaO + CO₂ = CaCO₃

A thermal decomposition reaction occurs when a chemical decomposes as a result of heating.

3. Displacement Reaction

A chemical process that occurs when a more reactive element removes a less reactive element from its aqueous salt solution.

It has the following formula: X + YZ = XZ + Y

It is also known as a substitution reaction.

Displacement reaction example: Zn + CuSO₄ = ZnSO₄ + Cu

4. Double Displacement Reaction

A double displacement reaction is a chemical process that involves the exchange of ions between two reactants to create a new molecule.

It is calculated as XY + ZA = XZ + YA.

It is sometimes referred to as a metathesis response

Double displacement reaction illustration:

BaCl₂ + Na₂SO₄ = BaSO₄ + 2NaCl

5. Precipitation Reaction

Precipitation reaction refers to a chemical reaction that results in the development of an insoluble product (precipitate; solid).

As we know that the reactants are liquid, the product generated is insoluble and separates as a solid.

The chemical equation used to describe a chemical change is appropriate for reactions in solutions, although the conventional molecular equation has different representations for ionic substance reactions in aqueous solution (water).

A molecular equation may suggest formulae for reactants and products that do not exist while completely ignoring equations for ions that are the genuine reactants and products.

If the material in the molecular equation that is genuinely present as dissociated ions is given in the form of their ions, the result is an ionic equation.

A precipitation reaction occurs when a dissolved species solution produces a solid that is often denser and falls to the bottom of the reaction vessel.

When two soluble solutions are mixed in aqueous solution, the most common precipitation mechanism is the formation of an insoluble ionic molecule. Consider what happens when an aqueous NaCl solution and an aqueous AgNO₃ solution are combined. The first solution contains hydrated Na⁺ and Cl^– ions, whereas the second solution contains Ag⁺ and NO₃ ions.

Na⁺(aq) + Cl + NaCl(s) (aq)

Ag⁺(aq) + NO₃ = AgNO₃(s) (aq)

When these two compounds are combined, a twofold displacement reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of the soluble compound NaNO₃ and the insoluble compound AgCl. The Ag⁺ and Cl^– ions mix in the reaction vessel, and a white solid precipitates from the solution. The Na⁺ and NO₃ ions remain in solution while the solid precipitates.

The following balanced equation represents the entire double displacement reaction:

NaCl(aq) + AgNO₃(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO₃(aq) 

Conclusion

We conclude that the most important types of events in the universe are chemical reactions. Plants grow, produce fruit, then decompose to become compost for new plants through chemical reactions. Humans (and all other species) reproduce, digest, grow, heal, and think as a result of chemical processes.