Decomposition Reaction Definition

We can define a Decomposition Reaction as a chemical process in which the molecule or reactant breaks down into simpler products.

It is just the opposite of the combination reaction and the energy required for breaking down of product can be in the form of heat, light, or electricity.

For example, by heating calcium carbonate it breaks down into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide gas. The balanced reaction of this can be written as follows:

General Equation of Decomposition Reaction

For any compound AB, the general equation of the decomposition reaction can be given as:

AB → A + B 

In the above reaction, AB represents the reactant which is a chemical compound of A and B that starts the reaction, while A and B represent the products obtained by the reaction. and the arrow represents the direction in which the reaction occurs.

Have you ever wondered what happens when compounds break apart into simpler substances? Or how energy is released, and new compounds are formed? The answers to these questions lie in the concept of Decomposition Reaction. Decomposition Reactions are a key concept in the understanding of the chemical breakdown of a complex substance. In this article we will learn about this reaction in detail, also we will learn various examples and their types as well. So, let’s start the article by answering the question “What is a Decomposition Reaction?”.