CHEMICAL REACTIONS &
1 EQUATIONS
Chemical reaction is a process of transforming a chemical substance into another chemical substance.
For example, Digestion of food, rusting of iron, etc. It can be represented using symbols and formula of
the substances in the form known as a Chemical Equation such as:
A+B→C+D
Balanced and Unbalanced Chemical Equa ons
· Balanced Chemical Equa on: Number of atoms of each element in reactants is equal to the number
of atoms of each element present in the product.
Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2
· Unbalanced Chemical Equa on: Number of atoms of each element in reactants is not equal to the
number of atoms of each element present in the product.
Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
Here, A and B are called reactants and C and D are called the products in this equation. The arrow
represents the direction of the chemical reaction.
Characteristics of Chemical Reactions:
Any of the following observations helps to determine the occurrence of a chemical reaction:
· Change in State of substance: The combustion reaction of candle wax is characterised by a change in
state from solid to liquid and gas.
· Change in Colour: The chemical reaction of sulphur dioxide gas and acidified potassium dichromate
solution is characterized by a change in colour from orange to green.
· Evolution of Gas: The chemical reaction of zinc and dilute sulphuric acid is characterised by the
evolution of hydrogen gas.
· Change in Temperature: The chemical reaction between quicklime water to form slaked lime is
characterized by a change in temperature (temperature starts increasing).
CHEMICAL REACTIONS & EQUATIONS
· Formation of Precipitate: The chemical reaction between sulphuric acid and barium chloride solution
is characterised by the formation of a white precipitate of barium sulphate.
Types of Chemical Reactions
· Combination Reaction: Reactions in which two or more reactants combine to form one product.
A + B → AB
· Decomposition Reaction: Reactions in which one compound decomposes in two or more
compounds or elements. It is just the opposite of a combination reaction.
AB → A + B
Following are the types of Decomposition reaction:
Ø Thermal Decomposition: It is the decomposition of a substance on heating.
Ø Electrolytic Decomposition or Electrolysis: It is the decomposition of a substance because of
passing of electricity.
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Ø Photo Decomposition or Photolysis: It is the decomposition of a substance because of Sunlight.
· Displacement Reaction: Reactions in which a more reactive element displaces a less reactive
element from a compound.
A + BC → AC + B
Ø It takes place only when A is more reactive than B.
Ø If B is more reactive than A, then A will not displace C from BC.
· Double Displacement Reaction: Reactions in which ions are exchanged between two reactants
forming new compounds.
AB + CD → AC + BD
· Precipitation Reaction: Reactions in which precipitate is formed by the mixing of the aqueous
solution of two salts.
· Neutralization Reaction: Reactions in which an acid reacts with a base to form salt and water by an
exchange of ions.
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
· Oxidation and Reduction Reactions:
Ø Oxidation: Reactions which involve gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen.
Ø Reduction: Reactions which involve loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen.
Ø Redox reaction: The reaction in which oxidation and reduction both take place simultaneously.
Oxidizing and Reducing agents
· Oxidizing agents: Substances which give oxygen for oxida on and substance which removes
hydrogen.
· Reducing agents: Substances which gives hydrogen for reduc on and a substance which removes
oxygen.
· Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions:
Ø Endothermic Reaction: A reaction in which heat energy is absorbed.
CHEMICAL REACTIONS & EQUATIONS
Ø Exothermic Reactions: A reaction in which energy is released in the form of light or heat. For
example, Respiration, which is a process by which humans take in oxygen and give out carbon
dioxide.
Effects of Oxidation reaction in everyday life
· Corrosion: It is the slow conversion of metals into their undesirable compounds due to their reaction
with oxygen, water, acids, gases etc. present in the atmosphere.
Ø Example: Rusting of iron
Ø Methods to prevent Rusting: painting, greasing and oiling, galvanisation, etc.
· Rancidity: It is the change in the taste and odour of food materials containing fat and oil when they
are left exposed to air for a long time.
Ø Cause: Due to the oxidation of fat and oil present in food materials.
Ø Methods to prevent: Adding antioxidant, vacuum packing, replacing air by nitrogen, refrigeration of
foodstuff, etc.
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Interesting points
· A chemical equation becomes more informative by writing the physical states of substances such as
(g) for gaseous state, (l) for liquid state, (s) for solid state and (aq) for aqueous solution.
· The condition in which a chemical reaction takes place is written above and/or below the arrow of a
chemical equation.
· In an exothermic reaction, change in enthalpy is negative.
CHEMICAL REACTIONS & EQUATIONS
