Question #f2d08

1 Answer
Jan 8, 2018

There are many types of chemical reactions. However, this question seems to be getting at the basic chemical reactions,

  1. Addition: a molecule or compound is synthesized
  2. Decomposition: a molecule or compound decomposes
  3. Neutralization: and acid and base "neutralize" each other
  4. Metathesis: ions or ionic compounds are "traded around"
  5. Reduction-oxidation: electrons are "traded around"
  6. Combustion: generally, a hydrocarbon molecule is combusted with oxygen gas to produce water and carbon dioxide

Note: Clearly there is a lot more to know about each of these reactions (e.g. if the products are insoluble, if its energetically favorable, et cetera).

#"1"# is metathesis (2x), #"2"# is combustion (exothermic), #"3"# is reduction-oxidation metathesis (x1), #"4"# is metathesis (2x), #"5"# neutralization, #"6"# is an addition/reduction-oxidation, #"7"# is a decomposition, #"8"# is combustion (exothermic)

Determining if a reaction is endothermic or exothermic is a function of its enthalpy of reaction. Combustion reactions are generally exothermic. We'd use thermodynamic data (commonly available in your text) otherwise to distinguish each reaction further.