double decomposition

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a reaction whose result is the interchange of two parts of two substances to form two new substances, as AgNO 3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO 3 .

double decomposition

noun

1. a chemical reaction between two compounds that results in the interchange of one part of each to form two different compounds, as in AgNO 3 + KI → AgI + KNO 3 Also calledmetathesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of double decomposition¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Further he prepared a large number of substances, including the chlorides and other salts of lead, tin, iron, zinc, copper, antimony and arsenic, and he even noted some of the phenomena of double decomposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Lithopone, probably the whitest of pigments, results from the double decomposition of zinc sulphate and barium sulphide, thereby forming a molecular combination of zinc sulphide and barium sulphate.

From Project Gutenberg

The author, in 1915, during a series of experiments on the relative germicidal action of hypochlorites, attempted to prepare the ammonium salt by double decomposition of bleach and ammonium oxalate solutions.

From Project Gutenberg

This law involves the existence of general combining weights just in the same way as the law of neutrality with double decomposition of salts involves the law of the combining weights of acids and bases.

From Project Gutenberg

When salt is added to a potassium soap double decomposition occurs, the potassium soap being transformed to a sodium soap and the potassium uniting with the chlorine to form potassium chloride.

From Project Gutenberg