chemical Decomposition

Decomposition, chemical, reduction of a compound to simpler substances, or to its elemental components. The materials obtained after the chemical breakdown differ in their properties both from each other and from the original substances. Heat is the simplest agent of decomposition. Reducing metallic ores to separate out the pure metal uses heat along with other chemicals. Water can be decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis. The decomposition of organic matter is known as putrefaction.

See also: Compound.