ETS Major Field Test Chemistry Practice Test

The reaction represented by A + B → C is characterized as a synthesis reaction because it involves the combination of two or more reactants, A and B, to form a single product, C. In synthesis reactions, elements or simpler compounds come together to create a more complex compound. This type of reaction is fundamental in chemistry as it lays the foundation for creating a variety of substances from more basic ones. In contrast, a decomposition reaction involves a single compound breaking down into two or more products, which does not apply here since two entities are combining rather than one splitting. Combustion reactions typically involve a substance, usually containing carbon, reacting with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water - again, not fitting the description given. Single replacement reactions occur when one element displaces another in a compound, leading to a different compound and a free element. Since the equation does not depict any replacement or breakdown but rather a combination, it further reinforces that the reaction is a synthesis type.