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

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 Joseph Race

In the case of separation from solutions, either by crystallization or by precipitation by double decomposition, the temperature, the concentration of the solution, and the presence of other ions may modify the form obtained.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

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 William McPherson

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 Franklin Bache

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 Paint Technology and Tests by Henry A. Gardner