What are thermal decomposition reactions?

1 Answer

Reactions that occur when heat triggers the breakdown of a chemical compound.

Explanation:

A thermal decomposition reaction occurs when heat is applied to a compound causing it to decompose (break down) into multiple different chemical substances.

An example is when baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is heated

#2NaHCO_3(s) rightarrow CO_2(g) + H_2O(g) + Na_2CO_3(s)#

Here is a video discussion of this reaction

video from: Noel Pauller