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Combination reactions follow the formula A + B --> AB. For example, C + O2 --> CO2.

Decomposition reactions follow the formula AB --> A + B. For example, H2CO3 --> H20 + CO2.

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13y ago
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14y ago

Synthesis and decomposition reactions are sometimes described as opposite reactions because a synthesis reaction is when there is a combination of two or more substances and a compound results, and a decomposition is when a compound is broken down into simpler substances, usually through electrolysis.

An example of a synthesis reaction: A + B -----> AB

An example of a decomposition reaction: AB -----> A + B

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11y ago

The reactions in which two or more substances combine to produce a single substance are known as Combination or Synthesis Reaction. They may be represented by X + Y → XY Combination reactions are usually exothermic.

Chemical decomposition, analysis or breakdown is the separation of a chemical compound into elements or simpler compounds. It is sometimes defined as the exact opposite of a chemical synthesis.The generalized reaction for chemical decomposition is: AB → A + B

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10y ago

In a Combination Reaction, a single product is formed from two or more reactants. In a Decomposition Reaction, two or more products are formed from a single reactant.

That is why, Decomposition Reactions are called the opposite of Combination Reactions.

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During a combination reaction, two or more reactants react to form a single product.

e.g. C+O2->CO2

While during the decomposition reaction's contrary to combination reaction's single reactant breaks down to form simpler products

e.g. 2H2O->2H2+O2

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In a decomposition there are more individual products, whether they be molecules or single atoms, than the initial reactants. In a combination reaction, there are more reactants than products.

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9y ago

In a Combination Reaction, a single product is formed from two or more reactants. In a Decomposition Reaction, two or more products are formed from a single reactant. That is why, Decomposition Reactions are called the opposite of Combination Reactions. --- During a combination reaction, two or more reactants react to form a single product. e.g. C+O2->CO2 While during the decomposition reaction's contrary to combination reaction's single reactant breaks down to form simpler products e.g. 2H2O->2H2+O2 --- In a decomposition there are more individual products, whether they be molecules or single atoms, than the initial reactants. In a combination reaction, there are more reactants than products.

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8y ago

After a combination reaction a new compound is formed from some reactants; after a decomposition a compound is degraded in simpler compounds.

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11y ago

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Q: Why are Synthesis and Decomposition reactions described as opposite reactions?
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How can synthesis and decomposition reactions be the reverse of one another?

This can be proved by taking the example of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. In photosynthesis molecules of water and carbon dioxide are converted into glucose and oxygen. In respiration, glucose and oxygen react to form carbon dioxide and water.


What does decomposition and synthesis mean?

They're both types of chemical reactions. In a decomposition reaction one compound is broken into two parts. Ex) HCl yields H + Cl In a synthesis reaction the opposite happens. You begin with two elements or compounds and end with one product. Ex) K + I yields KI These are obviously simplified versions but they convey the point.


The opposite of a decomposition reaction is called?

A formation reaction :) Decomposition implies the breakdown of a compound, formation implies the production of a compound.


What are the 5 types of chemical reactions and the general equations of each type?

SynthesisA + B --> ABDecompositionAB --> A + BCombustionCxHy + O2 --> CO2 + H2OSingle Replacement/DisplacementA + BC --> AC + BDouble Replacement/DisplacementAB + XY --> AY + XB


What are five major categories of chemical reactions?

This is from a website called,http://misterguch.brinkster.net/6typesofchemicalrxn.htmlCombustion: A combustion reaction is when oxygen combines with another compound to form water and carbon dioxide. These reactions are exothermic, meaning they produce heat. An example of this kind of reaction is the burning of napthalene:C10H8+ 12 O2 ---> 10 CO2+ 4 H2O2) Synthesis: A synthesis reaction is when two or more simple compounds combine to form a more complicated one. These reactions come in the general form of: A + B ---> AB One example of a synthesis reaction is the combination of iron and sulfur to form iron (II) sulfide: 8 Fe + S8---> 8 FeS3) Decomposition: A decomposition reaction is the opposite of a synthesis reaction - a complex molecule breaks down to make simpler ones. These reactions come in the general form: AB ---> A + B One example of a decomposition reaction is the electrolysis of water to make oxygen and hydrogen gas: 2 H2O ---> 2 H2 + O24) Single displacement: This is when one element trades places with another element in a compound. These reactions come in the general form of: A + BC ---> AC + B One example of a single displacement reaction is when magnesium replaces hydrogen in water to make magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas: Mg + 2 H2O ---> Mg(OH)2 + H25) Double displacement: This is when the anions and cations of two different molecules switch places, forming two entirely different compounds. These reactions are in the general form: AB + CD ---> AD + CB One example of a double displacement reaction is the reaction of lead (II) nitrate with potassium iodide to form lead (II) iodide and potassium nitrate: Pb(NO3)2+ 2 KI ---> PbI2 + 2 KNO36) Acid-base: This is a special kind of double displacement reaction that takes place when an acid and base react with each other. The H+ ion in the acid reacts with the OH- ion in the base, causing the formation of water. Generally, the product of this reaction is some ionic salt and water: HA + BOH ---> H2O + BA One example of an acid-base reaction is the reaction of hydrobromic acid (HBr) with sodium hydroxide: HBr + NaOH ---> NaBr + H2O

Related questions

What two chemical reactions are almost opposite of each other?

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What about combustion reaction makes them different from either synthesis or decomposition reaction?

The short answer is combustion reactions are a subset of synthesis reactions that require one of the reactants to be oxygen. Common combustion of organic molecules results in the formation of CO2 . However, it is not required that combustion be limited to organic molecules. They are different from decomposition reactions in the same way synthesis is the opposite of decomposition.


What type of reaction produces two or more products from a single reactant?

The type of reaction that combines reactants to produce larger products is called synthesis. The opposite process of synthesis is decomposition.


What is the opposite of a synthesis reaction?

It would be a catabolic reaction or decomposition reaction.


What is the opposite of synthesis?

It would be a catabolic reaction or decomposition reaction.


What is the opposite of a synthesis?

It would be a catabolic reaction or decomposition reaction.


What is Opposite of a decomposition reaction?

Dehydration Synthesis


What reaction is opposite of a synthesis reaction?

It would be a catabolic reaction or decomposition reaction.


What type of reaction is it called when a compound breaks down?

Those are known as decomposition reactions. Usually, it ends up breaking into its components. It's the opposite of synthesis, in which separate components form a compound.


How can synthesis and decomposition reactions be the reverse of one another?

This can be proved by taking the example of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. In photosynthesis molecules of water and carbon dioxide are converted into glucose and oxygen. In respiration, glucose and oxygen react to form carbon dioxide and water.


What does decomposition and synthesis mean?

They're both types of chemical reactions. In a decomposition reaction one compound is broken into two parts. Ex) HCl yields H + Cl In a synthesis reaction the opposite happens. You begin with two elements or compounds and end with one product. Ex) K + I yields KI These are obviously simplified versions but they convey the point.


What kind of reaction occurs when two or more substances combine to form a single compound?

In "Decomposition" type of reactions, one chemical compound would split to form two or more chemical compounds. These reactions mainly occur with the supply of heat. For example: CaCO3 -----> CaO + CO2 The opposite of this, that is when many chemical compounds form one are known as "Synthesis / Combination" type of reactions.