Maya made this picture to represent a chemical reaction:
Which of the following statements best explains the type of chemical reaction represented by Maya's picture?
1) It is neither a synthesis reaction nor a decomposition reaction because the total mass of the products is less than the total mass of the reactants.
2) It is neither a synthesis reaction nor a decomposition reaction because two reactants form two products.
3) It represents a synthesis reaction because the same atoms are present in the reactants and products.
4) It represents a decomposition reaction because two reactants break apart and form two products.
2) It is neither a synthesis reaction nor a decomposition reaction because two reactants form two products.
Explanation:
This is not a synthesis reaction, which takes place when two or more reactants combine to form one product. This is a single replacement reaction, where the cation of an ionic compound "trades places" with another element that becomes the cation in a new ionic compound.
