Thursday, August 27, 2009

Decomposition reactions

2. Decomposition Reactions

The result of a combination reaction can be reversed; in other words, a compound can be decomposed into the components from which it was formed. This type of reaction is called a decomposition reaction. Many decomposition reactions occur via oxidation-reduction as illustrated below. 

                                      Note: Chlorine is reduced, while oxygen is oxidized.
But many other decomposition reactions do not involve a corresponding oxidation and reduction of the substances as shown below. 

Note, that in this example of chemical decomposition, the oxidation states of the elements involved remain constant


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