General reactions

Question 1

Direct combination

Answer 1

Metal combining with non-metal, or 2 non-metals combining. May require heat

Question 2

Displacement / competition / redox

Answer 2

2 metals competing for a non-metal or non-metal group or 2 non-metals competing for a metal group

Question 3

Thermal decomposition of metal carbonates

Answer 3

Metal carbonate -> metal oxide + carbon dioxide

providing metal is below sodium in the activity series - if not then there is no reaction

Question 4

Thermal decomposition of metal hydroxides

Answer 4

Metal hydroxide -> metal oxide + water

providing metal is below sodium in the activity series - if not then there is no reaction

Question 5

Thermal decomposition of metal nitrates

Answer 5

Metal nitrate -> metal oxide + nitrogen dioxide + oxygen
providing the metal is lower than sodium in reactivity, if not:

Metal nitrate (V) -> metal nitrate (III) + oxygen

Question 6

Precipitation reactions

Answer 6

2 soluble compounds separately dissolved in water then the 2 solutions are mixed. If the cations swap anions to form an insoluble compound then a precipitate will be formed

Question 7

Acid and metal

Answer 7

Metal + acid -> salt + hydrogen

Only if metal is more reactive than hydrogen

Question 8

Acid and carbonate

Answer 8

Metal carbonate + acid -> salt + water + carbon dioxide

If the salt produced is insoluble the reaction may be slower

Question 9

Acid and base

Answer 9

Acid + base -> salt + water

Question 10

Alkalis and ammonium salts

Answer 10

Alkali + ammonium salt -> salt + water + ammonia gas