Critically acclaimed Couple's therapy (aka Types of Chemical Reactions!)

Hello there, I'm Mr.PinchofKCN, the director of the PinchofKCN Marriage Counselling Institute. Thank you so much for revisiting our clinic today for our critically acclaimed couple's therapy course. Today's lesson, aka lesson #18, is on the "types of chemical reactions." So ladies and gents, before we get started, how are you guys all feeling today?

Types of chemical reactions! Yup that's right, that's our topic for today. Not the one you have in mind though.(You dirty-minded people,jokes!) Enough role-playing now. Let's get down to the business.

So there are 6 types of chemical reaction: production of excessive hormones... I mean, synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion, and neutralization:)

These are just basic review from Science 10, which is like what, a LONG LONG time ago. Okay, no need to panic. Let's recap. (P.S. smarty-pants are permitted to take a nap for the time being.)

Synthesis reaction is when two or more simple reactants to form a complex product.Words are always hard to understand right? Let's try some simpler form of words - letters:

                 A+B →AB

The old-school examples are always the best. When Adam and Eve come together, they become a couple, the world's very FIRST couple according to the Bible. In our modern society, Adam&Steve, Madam&Eve are all decent and acceptable examples within this context. So there you go, imagine Adam is "Aluminum" and Eve is "Sulphur". And their product, aka their offspring in this case is:

E.g. Al + S → Al2S3  ------> now balance the equation you'll get:  2 Al + 3 S →1 Al2S3

Decomposition reaction is the direct opposite to synthesis. It is when a product is being broken down into two or more simpler forms.

                 EF →E+ F

(The following examples have no direct link to the example presented above.)

Okay, so if a couple doesn't get along anymore, they would become separated. (and our world-famous couple's therapist would be more than happy to help. Please call 1-800-pinch-of-kcn to schedule your appointment today!)

E.g. H2O→ H2 + O2 ---------------------------> now balance it: 2 H2O→ 2 H2 + O2

Single replacement reaction is when one element replaces another in an ionic compound. Metals replace metals(+ ions) and non-metals replace non-metals(- ions).

             When A is a metal:                     and when B is a non-metal
             A+ BC → AC+ B                          A+ BC →  BA+ C

E.g. 2 Na + 1 H2O →1 Na2O + 1 H2 

Finally something new, smarty-pants time to wake up for some real deal.


Predicting single replacement!
During a single replacement, some metals and some non-metals are more reactive than others. Doing this types of problems require the use of a chart called the "Activity Series" to see whether there's a presence of reaction or not. (Don't get tooo excited, buddies)

-There is a reaction IF the element doing the replacing task has a higher up position in the chart than the one being replaced.
-There is NO reaction IF the element doing the replacing task has a lower position in the chart than the one being replaced. Therefore, you write "no reaction" or "NR." beside the given chemical equation.

Let's play around with an example first (Yes, that's how we roll, examples-maniac)

How you interpret this is utterly simple with our innovative and original analogy (therefore, citation to PinchofKCN is required if you wish to use the following example. I'm hella serious, my friend. wink: wink:)

Ca + HCl → CaCl2 + H2   ------> balance the equation you'll get: 1 Ca + 2 HCl → 1 CaCl2 + 1 H2

Single replacement is just like mating in the animal kingdom (or even within the human species). If you are a less preferred object, you will be quickly replaced. And if you are a more preferred object, you'll be quickly replacing other's position. Just like how Mr. Hyrdrogen is being replaced by Mr. Calcium because Mrs.Chlorine thinks Mr.Hydrogen is not "handsome enough." LOL, and that wraps up our lesson today.

Another joke about H2O, we just love water so much that we need to mention it every now and then! Enjoy!

Doesn't the old lady in the picture remind you of Miss Muriel Finster from Disney Recess. Except with a less grumpier face. And that boy sure doesn't look like T.J.