A decomposition reaction is the opposite of a synthesis
reaction. In a decomposition reaction a reactant compound is
broken into two or more less complex substances. you are given a
compound as the reactant. In most cases, to find the product you
split the compound into the individual elements. The other types
of decomposition reactions (decomposition of a hydrate,
chlorate, carbonate, etc.) are covered in other tutorials. This
tutorial focuses on the decomposition of a binary compound. The
general pattern of a decomposition reaction is: AB --> A + B
Look at the example below. --> 2H2(g) + Water decomposes
(usually with the help of electricity) to form hydrogen gas and
oxygen gas. Hydrogen and oxygen are written with subscripts of 2
because they are both diatomic let’s go step by step. Predict
the products when solid iron(II) oxide decomposes. |1. Write the
formula for the given reactant. |2. On the products side of the
equation, write the symbols for the two elements in the
compound. Be sure to separate the