Double Decomposition (Noun)
Meaning
A chemical reaction between two compounds in which parts of each are interchanged to form two new compounds (AB+CD=AD+CB).
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The reaction between silver nitrate and sodium chloride is a classic example of a double decomposition, resulting in the formation of silver chloride and sodium nitrate.
- Double decomposition reactions are often used in qualitative analysis to identify the presence of certain ions in a solution.
- The reaction between barium chloride and sodium sulfate is a double decomposition that produces barium sulfate and sodium chloride.
- In a double decomposition reaction, the cations and anions of the reactants are swapped to form new compounds.
- The reaction between copper sulfate and sodium carbonate is a double decomposition that results in the formation of copper carbonate and sodium sulfate.