[tristan.smith]

I am having a lot of trouble with chemical reaction types. I understand how to balance a formula and I understand the various reaction types (synergy, combustion, ect). What I do not understand is how to know which kind of reaction will occur given only the reactants.

In my current project I had to put Pb(NO3)2, CaCl2, CuSO4, Na2CO3 and AgNO3 on Aluminum foil, record my observations and then right the chemical reactions (if any) that took place. From what I gather the Al only reacted with the Pb(NO3)2, Na2CO3 & CuSO4.  But I do not have any idea what kind of reaction types those were or how to go about writing the formulas for them at all. I have read that chapter in my book over and over but I am missing something.

Hope someone here can help, I am feeling really dumb I really don't want just answers here, I truly want to understand what I am missing.

Thanks

[Borek]

Do you know reactivity series?

What is pH of Na₂CO₃ solution? What happens to Al in that pH?

There is no one single/simple rule that covers everything.

[tristan.smith]

Do you know reactivity series?

What is pH of Na₂CO₃ solution? What happens to Al in that pH?

There is no one single/simple rule that covers everything.

I do not, I am looking at our class schedule and acids/bases aren't something we're discussing until next week. I am so completely lost here. 

[Borek]

I understand the various reaction types (synergy, combustion, ect).

Synergy is a reaction type? Each day I learn something new 

Honestly - to classify the reaction you need to know what have happened. IMHO to know what have happened in the cases described here you need concepts I have listed.

[tristan.smith]

Well, I am able to skip it and come back without it effecting my grade, so I am going to do next week's project now and see if that helps this week's make more sense Thanks for the pointer at least

And I meant synthesis, not synergy. I was a very sleepy lady.