Question

What is decomposition ? Support your answer by an example.

Answer 1

Decomposition is the breaking up of a compound either into elements or simpler compounds such that these products do not combine to form the original compound.
Decomposition may occur in the presence of heat or light or by the passage of an electric current.
Example: Mercuric oxide when heated decomposes to form two elements-mercury and oxygen.

$2Hg{O}_{\left(s\right)}$ $\to$ $2H{g}_{\left(s\right)}$ + $O_{2\left(g\right)}$