What are the general rules for a decomposition type of reaction?

Question

Please answer as soon as you can.

Answer 1

Decomposition is when you break down a compound into its component atoms.  For example, sodium chloride is broken down into sodium and chlorine.

NaCl = Na + Cl

Answer 2

General rule???

In decomposition reactions there is always a single reactant and two or more products.  The products may either be elements or compounds or a combination of the two.

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NOT the one where a complex molecule breaks down to make simpler ones.

What other kind of decomposition reaction is there?

Perhaps you mean the various categories of decomposition reactions.  The following comes from a hand-out I give my students on reaction types.

2.  Decomposition  

a.  binary salt or binary oxide --> elements

b.  metal carbonate --> metal oxide + carbon dioxide

c.  metal hydrogen carbonate -->     metal carbonate + carbon dioxide + water

d.  metal hydroxide --> metal oxide + water

e.  oxyacid --> nonmetal oxide + water

f.  metal chlorate --> salt + oxygen

There are examples here:

http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/Equa...

Answer 3

The decomposition reactions of organic compounds usually result from oxidation.  The first step in the decomposition of a disachharide is hydrolysis into a simple sugar or the addition of a water molecule to cause a split in the molecule.  This is followed by addition of oxygen at the end chain to produce Carbon Dioxide and water.  Fats ultimately decompose to Carbon Dioxide also.  Protein will decompose to Carbon Dioxide, water and generally ammonia.