11.5: Decomposition Reactions - Chemistry LibreTexts

Decomposition Reactions

A decomposition reaction is a reaction in which a compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. The general form of a decomposition reaction is:

\[\ce{AB} \rightarrow \ce{A} + \ce{B}\nonumber \]

Most decomposition reactions require an input of energy in the form of heat, light, or electricity.

Binary compounds are compounds composed of just two elements. The simplest kind of decomposition reaction is when a binary compound decomposes into its elements. Mercury (II) oxide, a red solid, decomposes when heated to produce mercury and oxygen gas.

\[2 \ce{HgO} \left( s \right) \rightarrow 2 \ce{Hg} \left( l \right) + \ce{O_2} \left( g \right)\nonumber \]

A reaction is also considered to be a decomposition reaction even when one or more of the products are still compounds. A metal carbonate decomposes into a metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas. For example, calcium carbonate decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide:

\[\ce{CaCO_3} \left( s \right) \rightarrow \ce{CaO} \left( s \right) + \ce{CO_2} \left( g \right)\nonumber \]

Metal hydroxides decompose on heating to yield metal oxides and water. Sodium hydroxide decomposes to produce sodium oxide and water:

\[2 \ce{NaOH} \left( s \right) \rightarrow \ce{Na_2O} \left( s \right) + \ce{H_2O} \left( g \right)\nonumber \]

Some unstable acids decompose to produce nonmetal oxides and water. Carbonic acid decomposes easily at room temperature into carbon dioxide and water:

\[\ce{H_2CO_3} \left( aq \right) \rightarrow \ce{CO_2} \left( g \right) + \ce{H_2O} \left( l \right)\nonumber \]

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Can you build a balanced Chemical reaction for the decomposition of Potassium chlorate (KClO3)?

Answer

2KClO3 → 2KCl + 3O2

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\): Decomposition Reactions

When an electric current is passed through pure water, it decomposes into its elements. Write a balanced equation for the decomposition of water.

Solution

Step 1: Plan the problem.

Water is a binary compound composed of hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen gases produced in the reaction are both diatomic molecules.

Step 2: Solve.

The skeleton (unbalanced) equation:

\[\ce{H_2O} \left( l \right) \overset{\text{elec}}{\rightarrow} \ce{H_2} \left( g \right) + \ce{O_2} \left( g \right)\nonumber \]

Note the abbreviation "\(\text{elec}\)" above the arrow to indicate the passage of an electric current to initiate the reaction. Balance the equation.

\[2 \ce{H_2O} \left( l \right) \overset{\text{elec}}{\rightarrow} 2 \ce{H_2} \left( g \right) + \ce{O_2} \left( g \right)\nonumber \]

Step 3: Think about your result.

The products are elements and the equation is balanced.

Simulations

How does an airbag explode at just the right time in the event of a car accident? Learn more in this simulation:

How does a chemical reaction inflate and airbag