What type of reaction is represented by the equation: A + B → C?

The reaction represented by the equation A + B → C is a combination reaction. In this type of reaction, two or more reactants (in this case, A and B) combine to form a single product, which is represented by C. This is a hallmark of combination reactions, where the focus is on the merging of reactants to produce a more complex product.

Combination reactions are essential in various chemical processes and serve as the foundation for creating compounds from simpler substances. An example of a combination reaction is the formation of water from hydrogen and oxygen: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.

The nature of the equation highlights that no matter how simple the reactants appear, the result is always a single unique product formed as a result of this union. This distinguishes it from other types of reactions, such as decomposition, where a single compound breaks down into two or more products, and replacement reactions, which involve the exchange of components between compounds.