Thermal decomposition

• Thermal means heat. Decomposing is the process of breaking down.

• Thermal decomposition is a chemical reaction that happens when a compound breaks down when heated.

Thermal means heat. Decomposing is the process of breaking down. Thermal decomposition is a chemical reaction that happens when a compound breaks down when heated.

Thermal decomposition reactions happen at high temperatures. The reactants absorb lots of energy as they break down into the products.

The starting compound is the reactant. It breaks down to simpler substances, which could be elements or they could be compounds.

Thermal decomposition reactions are examples of endothermic reactions, and are useful when cooking and baking cakes.