Question

Which of the following is the correct word equation for the reaction described below?

Mercury(II) oxide breaks down when it is heated to form oxygen gas and liquid mercury.

A)oxygen gas + mercury → mercury(II) oxide

B)mercury(II) oxide + oxygen → mercury

C)mercury → mercury(II) oxide + oxygen

D)mercury(II) oxide → oxygen + mercury

Answer 1

Answer is: D) mercury(II) oxide → oxygen + mercury.

Balanced chemical reaction: 2HgO(s) → 2Hg(l) + O₂(g).

This is example of chemical decomposition.

Chemical decomposition is the separation of a single chemical compound (in this example mercury(II) oxide) into its two or more simpler compounds (in this example mercury and oxygen).