The electrolysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas is an ex.ample of a decomposition reaction.
Let's review. Decomposition reactions are a type of chemical reaction that involves breaking down a compound into smaller compounds or individual elements. These reactions often involve an input of energy in the form of heat, light, or electricity to break down the compounds. Essentially, decomposition reaction are the opposite of combination reactions. A compound decomposes (i.e.,splits-up) into two or more compounds and/or elements. For example mercury(II) oxide will, upon heating, decompose into mercury metal and oxygen: Decomposition Reaction Defined. A chemical reaction is a process by which the atoms of one or more substances are rearranged to form different substances. There are many types of chemical reactions. These reactions are often classified by what they form or what happens during the course of the reaction. A chemical decomposition reaction or analysis reaction is one of the most common types of chemical reactions. In a decomposition reaction a compound is broken into smaller chemical species. AB → A + B. The electrolysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas is an example of a decomposition reaction : 2 H 2 O → 2 H 2 + O 2. Another example is the decomposition of potassium chloride into potassium and chlorine gas. 2 KCl (s) → 2 K (s) + Cl 2 (g). A decomposition reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down into simpler components. It is the opposite of chemical synthesis, in which elements or relatively simple compounds combine to produce one that is more complex. Decomposition reactions can also involve large compounds being broken down into smaller compounds, rather than being broken down into single elements. For example, the compound ammonium nitrate readily decomposes into dinitrogen monoxide and water.
http://study.com/academy/lesson/decomposition-reaction-definition-examples-quiz.html http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/chemical%20reactions/decomposition.html http://study.com/academy/lesson/decomposition-reaction-definition-examples-quiz.html http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemicalreactions/a/chemical-decomposition-reaction.htm http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-decomposition-reaction.htm http://study.com/academy/lesson/decomposition-reaction-definition-examples-quiz.html
what is a decomposition reaction example