Thermal Decomposition Reaction:
Definition and Examples
- Thermal decomposition reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs when a substance is heated, causing it to break down into simpler substances. This type of reaction is often used in industrial processes to produce new materials or to extract useful substances from raw materials.
Example:
One example of a thermal decomposition reaction is the breakdown of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) into calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) when it is heated:
- CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)
This reaction is used in the production of cement, where limestone (which contains calcium carbonate) is heated to produce calcium oxide, which is a key ingredient in cement.
- Another example is the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) into nitrogen gas (N2) and water (H2O), which is used in the production of certain types of fertilizers:
- NH4NO3(s) → N2(g) + 2H2O(g)
ATLAST :
thermal decomposition reactions are an important type of chemical reaction that have a wide range of industrial and scientific applications.