Laboratory 7: Decomposition of acompound (Ferrous Sulfate Alm: To study decomposition reactions and observe what happens when a compound Oblectlve: After the experiment, students would be acquainted with 1. Characteristics of a decomposition reaction & different types of such reactions. 2. Identifying the compounds that may give a decomposition reaction. 3. Skills to perform a decomposition reaction in the lab. 1) Test Tubes 2) Beaker 3) Bunsen Buner 4) Tongs 5) Hydrated ferrous sulfate Chemical safety and proper usage of equipments 1. Do not point the mouth of the boiling tube at your neighbors or yourself 2. Waft gases emitted from ferrous sulfate on heating gently towards your nose holding the test tube at a distance. The gases SO, and SO, are very harmful, so do not take a deep breath when smelling the odour of the gases 3. Always use a test tube holder while heating the test tube. Discussion What is a decomposition reaction? Decomposition is a type of chemical reaction. It is defined as the reaction in which a single compound splits into two or more simple substances under suitable conditions. It is just the opposite of the combination reaction In a combination reaction, a substance is formed as a result of chemical combination, while in a decomposition reaction, the substance breaks into new substances For example The digestion of food in our body is accompanied by a number of decomposition rcactions. Thic major constituents of ou tood such as crbohydrates, fats. proteins ete decompose to form a number of smpler substanses. These substances further react e asing large anwunè½¹of energy, which keeps our body working