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Question
What is meant by a decomposition reaction?
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Solution
A decomposition reaction is a chemical reaction in which a single compound breaks down to simpler products. It is the opposite of a combination reaction.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Why is the amount of gas collected in one of the test tubes in the following Activity double of the amount collected in the other? Name this gas.
- Take a plastic mug. Drill two holes at its base and fit rubber stoppers in these holes. Insert carbon electrodes in these rubber stoppers as shown in the following Fig.
- Connect these electrodes to a 6 volt battery.
- Fill the mug with water such that the electrodes are immersed. Add a few drops of dilute sulphuric acid to the water.
- Take two test tubes filled with water and invert them over the two carbon electrodes.
- Switch on the current and leave the apparatus undisturbed for some time.
- You will observe the formation of bubbles at both the electrodes. These bubbles displace water in the test tubes.
- Is the volume of the gas collected the same in both the test tubes?
• Once the test tubes are filled with the respective gases, remove them carefully. - Test these gases one by one by bringing a burning candle close to the mouth of the test tubes.
Caution: This step must be performed carefully by the teacher.
- What happens in each case?
- Which gas is present in each test tube?

Write the balanced chemical equation for the following and identify the type of reaction.
\[\ce{Zinc carbonate(s) -> Zinc oxide(s) + Carbon dioxide(g)}\]
What does one mean by exothermic reaction? Give example.
Write one equation for decomposition reactions where energy is supplied in the form of heat.
Taking into consideration the relationship in the first pair, complete the second pair
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O :Combination Reaction :: 2HgO → 2Hg + O2:_________
The white solid compound A decomposes quite rapidly on heating in the presence of a black substance X to form a solid compound B and a gas C. When an aqueous solution of compound B is reacted with silver nitrate solution, then a white precipitate of silver chloride is obtained along with potassium nitrate solution. Gas C does not burn itself but helps burn other things.
- What is compound A?
- What is compound B?
- What is gas C?
- What do you think is the black substance X? What is its function?
- What is the general name of substances like X?
What type of reaction is represented by the following equation?
\[\ce{NH4Cl -> NH3 + HCl}\]
What type of chemical reaction takes place when limestone is heated?
What type of chemical reaction takes place when electricity is passed through water?
What type of chemical reaction is represented by the following equation?
\[\ce{X -> Y + Z}\]
What is the colour of ferrous sulphate crystals? How does this colour change after heating?
Which of the following can be decomposed by the action of light?
Two metals X and Y form the salts XSO4 and Y2SO4, respectively. The solution of salt XSO4 is blue in colour whereas that of Y2SO4 is colourless. When barium chloride solution is added to XSO4 solution, then a white precipitate Z is formed along with a salt which turns the solution green. And when barium chloride solution is added to Y2SO4 solution, then the same white precipitate Z is formed along with colourless common salt solution.
- What could the metals X and Y be?
- Write the name and formula of salt XSO4.
- Write the name and formula of salt Y2SO4.
- What is the name and formula of white precipitate Z?
- Write the name and formula of the salt which turns the solution green in the first case.
Explain the following type of chemical reaction, giving two examples for it:
Decomposition reaction
How will you obtain Nitrogen dioxide from lead nitrate.
Also give balanced equations for the reactions
What does one mean by endothermic reaction? Give example.
Give a scientific reason.
When the gas formed on heating limestone is passed through freshly prepared lime water, the lime water turns milky.
Give a balanced equation for –
A thermal decomposition reaction involving heat on limestone [calcium carbonate]
Give a balanced equation for –
An electrolytic decomposition reaction involving a neutral liquid
Give a balanced equation for –
A double decomposition neutralization reaction involving an acid and a base
Give a balanced equation for –
A white precipitate obtained during a double decomposition reaction involving a silver salt with sodium salt.
Give a balanced equation for the following type of reaction:
A thermal decomposition reaction in which a metallic nitrate decomposes to give – a basic oxide.
Differentiate between the following:
Thermal decomposition and thermal dissociation.
Differentiate between the following:
Electrolytic decomposition and photochemical decomposition.
What is electrolysis?
Photolysis is a decomposition reaction caused by ______
Electrolysis is type of ______ reaction.
Chemical volcano is an example of ______ type of reaction.
Which among the following statement(s) is (are) true?
Exposure of silver chloride to sunlight for a long duration turns grey due to
(i) the formation of silver by decomposition of silver chloride.
(ii) sublimation of silver chloride.
(iii) decomposition of chlorine gas from silver chloride.
(iv) oxidation of silver chloride.
Which of the following is an endothermic process?
When SO2 gas is passed through a saturated solution of H2S, which of the following reaction occurs?
Balance the following chemical equation and identify the type of chemical reaction.
`"HgO"("s") overset("(heat)")(->) "Hg"("l") + "O"_2("g")`
The reaction of calcium carbonate, with freshly prepared lime water, is shown below:
Answer the questions with the help of a diagram:
- What type of reaction does calcium carbonate undergoes?
- What change in colour is observed in lime?
- Write the chemical equation.

These consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer these questions selecting the appropriate option given below:
Assertion: Silver bromide decomposition is used in black and white photography.
Reason: Light provides energy for this exothermic reaction.
What is observed when silver chloride is exposed to sunlight? Give the type of reaction involved.
Write one equation for the decomposition reaction where energy is supplied in the form of light.
Write one equation for the decomposition reaction where energy is supplied in the form of electricity.
