Final answer:
The reaction type A + B = AB is a synthesis or combination reaction, where two or more reactants combine to form a single product.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of reaction represented by the generic equation A+B = AB is known as a synthesis or combination reaction. In this type of chemical reaction, two or more reactants come together to form a single, new product. The general form of a combination reaction is exactly as shown: A plus B yields AB. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is option a, synthesis combination.
It's important to note that this is different from other types of reactions such as decomposition reactions, where a single compound breaks down into multiple products (AB → A + B), single-displacement reactions, where one element replaces another in a compound (A + BC → AC + B), and double-displacement reactions, where parts of two compounds are exchanged (AB + CD → AD + CB).