What type of reaction is HgO -> Hg + O_2?

2 Answers
Feb 27, 2016

Decomposition reaction

Explanation:

Reddish Mercury(II)oxide solid is decomposed (broken down) upon heating into silver liquid mercury and colourless oxygen gas.
The full balanced chemical equation is
2HgO->2Hg+O_2

Feb 27, 2016

This is a decomposition reaction.

Explanation:

HgO(s) rarr Hg(l) + 1/2O_2(g)

Because mercuric oxide is fairly stable, you have to heat it fairly fiercely. You end up with a test tube where mercury metal condenses on the top of the test tube. Of course, this reaction is performed in an efficient fume hood, because you don't want to inhale mercury metal. The decomposition reaction of cinnabar, mercuric sulfide, HgS, is much more facile.