double decomposition

American  

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 .

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double decomposition British  

noun

1. Also called: metathesis.  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

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Etymology

Origin of double decomposition

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

double decomposition

Mr. Robiquet, however, has shown, that the pretended codeate, is a muriate of morphia, formed by double decomposition between the muriate of soda, employed by Mr. Robinet in his analysis, and meconate of morphia.

From North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826 by Bache, Franklin

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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various

Between calcium carbide and water vapour a double decomposition occurs chemically identical with that between carbide and liquid water; but the physical effect of the reaction and its practical bearings are considerably modified.

From Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use A Practical Handbook on the Production, Purification, and Subsequent Treatment of Acetylene for the Development of Light, Heat, and Power by Leeds, F. H. (Frank Henley)

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 Chlorination of Water by Race, Joseph

This enters into double decomposition with the salt, as shown in the first equation under the Solvay process.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William