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Match the following reactions with their types:
Burning of natural gas
Formation of water from H2тАЛ(g) and O2тАЛ(g)
Burning of coal
Silver chloride turns grey in sunlight
Silver chloride turns grey in sunlight
A decomposition reaction is a chemical process where a single reactant breaks down into two or more simpler substances. The exposure of silver chloride to sunlight is a classic example of a photochemical decomposition reaction.
A decomposition reaction is a chemical process where a single reactant breaks down into two or more simpler substances. The exposure of silver chloride to sunlight is a classic example of a photochemical decomposition reaction.
Think of a lego structure (the compound) being broken apart into individual bricks (the simpler products) by an external force (light energy).
2AgCl(s)sunlightтАЛ2Ag(s)+Cl2тАЛ(g) тАФ Photochemical decomposition of silver chloride
When silver chloride (Ag┬аCl) is exposed to light (photons), it absorbs energy and breaks down into silver metal (Ag) and chlorine gas (Cl2тАЛ). The chemical equation is 2AgCl(s)sunlightтАЛ2Ag(s)+Cl2тАЛ(g).
Decomposition reactions typically require an energy input (heat, light, or electricity).
Silver chloride changes color from white to grey due to the formation of elemental silver.
This reaction is widely used in traditional black and white photography.
Useful in photographic film processing
Fundamental for understanding chemical energy conversion
Requires careful storage in dark bottles to prevent unwanted degradation
Black and white photography
Photochromic lenses
Standard property: Ag┬аCl is photosensitive.
Wrong options explanation: Burning of natural gas (CH4тАЛ+2O2тАЛтЖТCO2тАЛ+2H2тАЛO), formation of water (2H2тАЛ+O2тАЛтЖТ2H2тАЛO), and burning of coal (C+O2тАЛтЖТCO2тАЛ) are all combination or combustion reactions, where substances combine rather than decompose.
D is correct тАФ The reaction of silver chloride in sunlight is a decomposition reaction because one substance breaks down into two simpler substances.
Remember that combination reactions and decomposition reactions are inverse processes; if you see a single reactant on the left, it is almost certainly a decomposition reaction.