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Here are some general equations for 4 common types of reactions with examples that have not been balanced. You can use this as a guideline for determining products. There are other reaction types but in a beginning chemistry course in high school most of the reactions you work with will fall under one of these categories.
1. Synthesis
A + B --> C
H2 + O2 --> H2O
Sometimes written as
A + B --> AB
2. Decomposition
C --> A + B
H2O --> H2 + O2
or
AB --> A + B
3. Single Displacement
A + BC --> AC + B
Zn + HCl --> ZnCl2 + H2
4. Double Displacement/Precipitation
AB + CD --> AD + BC
Pb(NO3)2 + KI --> PbI2 + KNO3
Of course you want to remember rules for the formation of compounds and naming conventions as well. |