Question

select the correct answer.
what kind of chemical reaction does the chemical equation sodium + chlorine → sodium chloride represent?
○ a. combustion
○ b. decomposition
○ c. single replacement
○ d. synthesis

Explanation:

• Combustion: Usually involves a substance reacting with oxygen (e.g., \(C + O_2

ightarrow CO_2\)). Here, there is no oxygen involved, so it's not combustion.

• Decomposition: A single compound breaks down into simpler substances (e.g., \(H_2O

ightarrow H_2 + O_2\)). But in the given equation, two substances combine, not decompose.

• Single - replacement: One element replaces another in a compound (e.g., \(Zn+CuSO_4

ightarrow ZnSO_4 + Cu\)). This is not the case here.

• Synthesis: Two or more reactants combine to form a single product. In the equation \(sodium + chlorine

ightarrow sodium\ chloride\), two elements (\(Na\) and \(Cl_2\)) combine to form a compound (\(NaCl\)), which fits the definition of a synthesis reaction.

Answer:

D. synthesis