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Thermal decomposition is a
chemical reaction where a single compound breaks
up into two or more simpler compounds or elements
when heated. It is also an endothermic reaction
as heat is required to break chemical bonds in
the compound undergoing decomposition. The decomposition
reaction is irreversible.
Example 1: Copper(II) carbonate
decomposes on heating to form copper(II) oxide
and carbon dioxide:
CuCO3 (s)
-----> CuO (s) + CO2 (g)
Example 2: Zinc nitrate decomposes
on heating to give zinc oxide, nitrogen dioxide
and oxygen:
Zn(NO3)2
(s) -----> 2ZnO (s) + 4NO2 (g)
+ O2 (g)
A good understanding of the
reactivity series of metals and the thermal stability
of the metal salts is essential in predicting
the outcome of heating a substance and drawing
inferences about the unknown compound based on
the decomposition products.
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