Silver Oxide Decomposition Formula

Silver oxide (Ag2O) is a chemical compound composed of two atoms of silver and one atom of oxygen. When heated, it decomposes into its constituent elements, silver (Ag) and oxygen gas (O2), according to the following equation:

2 Ag2O(s) → 4 Ag(s) + O2(g)

This reaction is an example of a decomposition reaction, where a single compound breaks down into simpler substances upon heating. In this case, heat provides the energy necessary to break the bonds holding the atoms in the silver oxide molecule together.

The reaction is also balanced, meaning that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is important because it ensures that the law of conservation of mass is obeyed, which states that in any chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.