Final answer:
Synthesis reactions, also known as combination reactions, occur when two or more substances combine to form a single new substance, such as the formation of sodium chloride from sodium metal and chlorine gas.Answer is option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
Synthesis reactions are best described as chemical processes where two or more substances combine to form a new compound. This type of reaction is also known as a combination reaction. An example of a synthesis reaction is when sodium (Na) reacts with chlorine gas (Cl2) to form sodium chloride (NaCl), as represented by the chemical equation:
2 Na (s) + Cl2 (g) → 2 NaCl (s)
This reaction involves sodium metal and chlorine gas combining to yield sodium chloride, illustrating the general form of a synthesis reaction which is A+B → AB. Hence, the correct answer to the described question is option A: Two different atoms combine to form a compound.