Decomposition Reaction : Chemical Reaction

Definition

A decomposition reaction (other names are chemical breakdown, chemical decomposition and analysis reaction) is a chemical reaction in which there is only one reactant and it reacts by breaking down (splitting) into two or more products.

Reaction Principles

A decomposition reaction may be represented as:

AB → A + B

In a decomposition reaction, the lone reactant simply breaks apart and no other reactants are involved. This is through a process of breaking bonds inside the reactant to produce fragments of electrically neutral (common) compounds and elemental species. Whereas other types of chemical reactions are dependant on the properties of their reactants for the reaction process, a decomposition reaction only hinges upon the ability of the lone reactant to break up into two or more compounds as products. The fundamental principles of all chemical reactions involve the breaking of old chemical bonds and the forming of new ones. Breaking chemical bonds usually requires energy of some form and for this reason, most decomposition reactions are endothermic. Typically, the reaction requires energy in the form of heat (thermal decomposition), light (photolytic decomposition) or electricity (electrolytic decomposition). Catalysts will spur the break down of chemicals (reactants) in some reactions by lowering the activation energy, thus resulting in a faster rate of chemical reaction. Decomposition reactions may also take place spontaneously without input of energy.

Full Definition

Published on: 24 Jan 2018 at 0110.
Last updated: 7 Jul 2018 at 1538