What type of reaction involves the breaking of chemical bonds and the formation of new bonds?

The correct choice is the identification of a chemical reaction, which encompasses both the breaking of chemical bonds and the formation of new bonds. This is a fundamental characteristic of any chemical change, regardless of the specific type of reaction.

In a chemical reaction, reactants undergo a transformation that leads to the formation of products. This process inherently involves the energy changes associated with breaking bonds in the reactants and forming new bonds in the products. For example, in a combustion reaction, reactants such as hydrocarbons react with oxygen, resulting in new products like carbon dioxide and water, along with the breaking and forming of bonds.

Synthesis reactions and decomposition reactions are specific categories of chemical reactions. In synthesis reactions, two or more substances combine to form a more complex substance, while in decomposition reactions, a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. Combustion reactions, meanwhile, typically involve organic compounds reacting with oxygen, releasing energy. While these specific types refer to distinct processes, they all fall under the broader category of chemical reactions defined by bond breaking and bond formation.