This document provides instructions for a chemistry activity where students will work in groups to predict products of various chemical reactions, including synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, double displacement, and combustion reactions. It reviews the key aspects of each reaction type and provides example equations and online guidance for students to refer to. The goal is for students to correctly predict products, write formulas, and balance equations for different reaction scenarios.

1. Name_____________________________________Period_____________Date________
Activity – Learning How to Predict Products
Objectives 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12
SUMMARY OF REACTION TYPES LEARNED
 Synthesis reaction - Two or more substances combine to form a new compound
 Example: A + B AB
 Decomposition reaction - A single compound undergoes a reaction that produces two or more simpler substances
 Example: AB A + B or ABC AB + C
 Single Displacement reaction - One element replaces or “displaces” another element in a compound
 Example: A + BC AC + B
 Remember – Element can only displace another element BELOW itself on the activity series chart!
 Double Displacement reaction - Ions of two compounds exchange places to form two new compounds
 Example: AB + CD AD + CB
 Combustion reaction - Substance combines with oxygen, and releases energy in the form of light and heat.
 Example: CxHx + O2 (g) CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
Goal: You’re goal today is to work in groups and to use each other, class notes, and the guided PowerPoint as resources to
be able to predict products for synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, double displacement and combustion
reactions.
Method: Based on class discussions, you will attempt to predict products based upon the reaction type determined. For
any struggles/clarifications you might need, please refer to the narrated PowerPoint slides for guidance and examples.
Objective: Every student will be able to correctly predict products, write correct formulas, and balance equations for each of
the types of chemical reactions. Please see reverse side for assignment to be turned in. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE
WORKING TOGETHER ON THE SAME REACTION TYPE. There will be no dividing up questions amongst the group.

2. Use the following websites for guided examples for each of the following reaction types:
Synthesis:
http://www.screencast.com/users/l_burkett/folders/Jing/media/6f685044-1db9-4a96-8d3e-182e47ae45ae
Decomposition:
http://www.screencast.com/users/l_burkett/folders/Jing/media/b5d0924a-563a-42e8-be07-d878d89ff0c2
Single Displacement
http://www.screencast.com/users/l_burkett/folders/Jing/media/64afa598-2bf4-489c-9537-62572e083e26
Double Displacement
http://www.screencast.com/users/l_burkett/folders/Jing/media/09ac1316-2746-4d05-b26f-d17983882afa
Combustion
http://www.screencast.com/users/l_burkett/folders/Jing/media/71df8f8c-7e8b-4eee-9446-3c27bbfc61fc
FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING EQUATIONS, identify the reaction type, predict the products (making sure to NEVER
carry subscripts unless part of a polyatomic ion), write correct formulas of products (using charges of elements in new
compounds formed) and balance the equation. For single displacement and double displacement reactions, make sure to
determine if a reaction will take place (SD – activity series chart, DD – solubility chart).
_______________________________ 1. ___Mg + ___N2
_______________________________ 2. ___Zn + ___MgSO4
_______________________________ 3. ___Cd + ___O2
_______________________________ 4. ___HCl + ___KOH
_______________________________ 5. ___C5H12 + ___O2
_______________________________ 6. ___Zn + ___Ni(NO3)2
_______________________________ 7. ___Br2 + ___FeI3
_______________________________ 8. ___Li2SO4 + ___BaCl2
_______________________________ 9. ___HgO
_______________________________10. ___KNO3 + ___NaCl
_______________________________11. ___Na + ___Cl2
_______________________________12. ___Al + ___O2
_______________________________13. ___PBr3
_______________________________14. ___Fe + ___Pb(NO3)2
_______________________________15. ___KMnO4 + ___ZnCl2