1. Combination Reactions (Synthesis):
* Two or more reactants combine to form a single product.
* General form: A + B → AB
* Example: 2 Na(s) + Cl₂(g) → 2 NaCl(s) (Sodium and chlorine react to form sodium chloride)
2. Decomposition Reactions:
* A single reactant breaks down into two or more products.
* General form: AB → A + B
* Example: 2 H₂O(l) → 2 H₂(g) + O₂(g) (Water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen gas)
3. Single Displacement Reactions:
* One element replaces another element in a compound.
* General form: A + BC → AC + B
* Example: Zn(s) + CuSO₄(aq) → ZnSO₄(aq) + Cu(s) (Zinc replaces copper in copper sulfate)
4. Double Displacement Reactions:
* Two reactants exchange ions to form two new products.
* General form: AB + CD → AD + CB
* Example: AgNO₃(aq) + NaCl(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO₃(aq) (Silver nitrate and sodium chloride react to form silver chloride and sodium nitrate)
These are just a few of the many types of chemical reactions. Other important categories include combustion, neutralization, and redox reactions.
