Final answer:
The reaction AgO₂ → Ag + O₂ is a decomposition reaction, where silver oxide breaks down into silver and oxygen. It's one of several types of chemical reactions including synthesis, single-replacement, double-replacement, and combustion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction AgO₂ → Ag + O₂ is an example of a decomposition reaction. In this type of reaction, a single reactant breaks down into two or more products. Here, silver oxide (AgO₂) decomposes into silver metal (Ag) and oxygen gas (O₂). This type of reaction often requires an input of energy, such as heat, to occur.
Decomposition reactions are one of the five basic types of chemical reactions which also include synthesis, single-replacement, double-replacement, and combustion reactions. As another example, the reaction Mg(s) + 2 Ag⁺ (aq) + 2 NO₃⁺ (aq) → Mg²⁺ (aq) + 2 NO₃⁺ (aq) + Ag (s) is indicative of a single-replacement reaction, also known as metal replacement.
Notably, in the case of silver, when Ag⁺ ions gain electrons through reduction, they form solid silver as shown by the half-reaction Ag⁺ (aq) + e → Ag(s). Reduction is just one half of the redox process, whereas the other half is oxidation.