Four Types of Chemical Reactions

Different Chemical Reactions

Here are four of the main types of reactions that can occur.  

These pictures help to show what happens clearly.

(Further information on these types of reactions can be found here.)

A Synthesis Reaction

 Where two or more substances combine to form a more complex substance.

A Decomposition Reaction

A more complex substance breaks down into more simple parts.

Single Replacement Reaction

A single unattached element replaces another in a compound.

Double Replacement Reaction

 Parts of two compounds switch places to form two new compounds.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical Reactions

 

Our topic for Term 3 is Chemical Reactions.

A chemical reaction is the combination of 

two reactants to form an entirely new product.

Solids

A solid has a definite shape and volume.

Examples of solids include ice (solid water), a bar of steel, and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide).

Liquids

A liquid has a definite volume, but takes the shape of its container.

Examples of liquids include water and oil.

Gases

A gas has neither a definite volume nor a definite shape.

Examples of gases are air, oxygen, and helium.

Here is an interactive game that enables 
you to explore the chemical reactions that occur when 
water reacts with hot and cold temperatures.