Molecular Models of Decomposition and Synthesis

These reactions uphold the law of conservation of matter as there is an equal number of particles/atoms in the reactants and products, meaning that mass is conserved. In a synthesis reaction, two or more reactants combine to form a single, more complex compound. It can be generalised as: A→B=AB In a decomposition reaction a compound is separated into simpler compounds or elements. It can be generalised as: BA→A+B It is therefore the opposite of a synthesis reaction.