January 27th

Synthesis is the forming of a compound from two or more simple substances.

When Oxygen (O₂) first met Sodium (Na), both elements knew it was love at first sight, so they got together.

1 O₂ + 4 Na ----> 2 Na₂O

The general form for synthesis is A + B ----> C

Decomposition is the breaking apart of a single compound into more basic substances.

A few weeks into their relationship, Oxygen and Sodium began experiencing problems. She didn't think his jokes were funny. He never knew there were so many ways to ruin potato salad. They broke apart.

2Na₂O ----> 1 O₂ + 4 Na

The general form for decomposition is A ----> B + C

Single Replacement is when a compound swaps one element or ion for another.

Oxygen began dating another element, Iron (III), to replace the hole Sodium left in her heart. However, after a while she began to see that nobody could ever replace Sodium. One day she decided to call Sodium up, and soon the two of them were in love again.

Oxygen dumped Iron (III) and replaced him with Sodium again.

1 Fe₂O₃ + 6 Na ----> 3 Na₂O + 2 Fe

The general form for single replacement is
A + BC ----> AC + B (when A is a metal)
A + BC ----> BA + C (when A is a non-metal)

AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER
(except for Iron (III). Poor guy.)

Note: Only more reactive metals can replace less reactive metals in single replacement reactions...and only more reactive non-metals can replace less reactive non-metals. So if Oxygen decided to date, say...Lithium, Sodium would not be able to win her back. Use your Activity Series sheet to determine when reactions occur.