Question

What occurs during a decomposition reaction?

Answer 1

The chemical bonds between the atoms of the decomposing compound are broken, and then rearranged between the atoms in new ways to make the products.

Explanation:

The chemical bonds between the atoms of the decomposing compound break, and new substances are formed as new chemical bonds form between the atoms of the elements of the decomposed compound.

Examples:

Decomposition of water:

`"2H"_2"O(l)"` `rarr` `"electrolysis"` `rarr` `"2H"_2("g") + "O"_2("g")"`

Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide:

`"2H"_2"O"_2("l")` `rarr` `"2H"_2"O(l)" + "O"_2("g")"`

Decomposition of sodium chloride:

`"2NaCl(l)"` `rarr` `"electrolysis"` `rarr` `"2Na(s)" + "Cl"_2("g")`