Synthesis Reactions Lab Report

Examples of synthesis reactions:
1. Metal + oxygen → metal oxide
EX. 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
2. Nonmetal + oxygen → nonmetallic oxide
EX. C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
3. Metal oxide + water → metallic hydroxide
EX. MgO(s) + H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(s)
4. Nonmetallic oxide + water → acid
EX. CO2(g) + H2O(l) → ; H2CO3(aq)
5. Metal + nonmetal → salt
EX. 2 Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)
6. A few nonmetals combine with each other.
EX. 2P(s) + 3Cl2(g) → 2PCl3(g)
These two reactions must be remembered:
1. N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g)
2.
3. NH3(g) + H2O(l) → NH4OH(aq)

Examples of decomposition reactions:
1. Metallic carbonates, when heated, form metallic oxides and CO2(g).
CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)
2. Most metallic hydroxides, when heated, decompose into metallic oxides and water.
EX. Ca(OH)2(s) → CaO(s) + H2O(g)
3. Metallic chlorates, when heated, decompose into metallic chlorides and oxygen.
EX. 2KClO3(s) → 2KCl(s) + 3O2(g)
4. Some acids, when heated, decompose into nonmetallic oxides and
Formation of a gas.
EX. HCl(aq) + FeS(s) → FeCl2(aq) + H2S(g)
3. Formation of water. (If the reaction is between an acid and a base it is called a neutralization reaction.)
EX. HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
4. Formation of a product which decomposes.
EX. CaCO3(s) + HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
NOTE: Use the solubility rules to decide whether a product of an ionic reaction is insoluble in water and will thus form a precipitate. If a compound is soluble in water then it should be shown as being in aqueous solution, or left as separate ions. It is, in fact, often more desirable to show only those ions that are actually taking part in the actual reaction. Equations of this type are called net ionic equations.
Combustion of Hydrocarbons:
Another important type of reaction, in addition to the four types above, is that of the combustion of a hydrocarbon. When a hydrocarbon is burned with sufficient oxygen supply, the products are always carbon dioxide and water vapor. If the supply of oxygen is low or restricted, then carbon monoxide will be produced. This is why it is so dangerous to have an automobile engine running inside a closed garage or to use a charcoal grill