PHYSICAL SCIENCE WEEK 6 HANDOUTS
eliminates disease causing germs and viruses such as H1N1
Application of Chemistry
Balancing of Chemical Equations
CLEANING PRODUCTS
We use cleaning products because they help improve water’s ability to
clean by mixing water with oily substances. Examples are: Soap,
Detergent, Household Cleaners like Ammonia and Bleach.
1. SOAPS
Soap improves water’s ability to clean because soap can dissolve in both
oil and water. Soap allows water and oil to form an emulsion (An
emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible.)
For example, we wash our face to remove dead cells from our skin, dust,
dried sweat, microbes and oily secretions. Soap breaks the oily fil into
tiny droplets (emulsification) and the water and soap together lift the oil
and debris and float them away as the lather is washed off.
Soaps are generally composed of Sodium (Na) or Potassium (K) and
Fatty Acids with long hydrocarbon chains.
2. DETERGENT
The first synthetic detergent was developed in Germany during World
War I shortage of fat for soap making as well as the high demand for
cleaning agent that unlike soap would not combine with mineral salts in
water.
Detergents are made of salts of sodium, potassium and sometimes
ammonium. Detergent acts the same way as soap. Both are considered
surfactant (also called surface-active agent, substance such as a
detergent that, when added to a liquid, reduces its surface tension,
thereby increasing its spreading and wetting properties.)
For example, in a typical detergent commonly used in Filipino household
such as Surf, the label tells us that it contains several substances aside
from anionic surfactant. These are the following:
A. Builders: such as sodium phosphate. Helps to remove extra
magnesium and calcium ions from water. So that no scum (a layer of dirt
or froth on the surface of a liquid.) will form and stick to the clothes.
B. Anti-redeposition agent: such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose
was added to prevent the dirt to attach again to the cloth.
C. Optical Brighteners: were used to make white clothing “whiter”. This
can be noticed when ultraviolet light is hone on white clothing and it will
glow “bluish white”.
D. Fabric Conditioners: are organic molecules with pleasant smell that
give the clothes aromas.
3. HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
A. Household Ammonia
are good cleaning agents. Despite having low concentration of
ions in ammonia solution, it still has the ability to remove
fingerprints and oily smears. Ammonia is a colorless, volatile,
soluble alkali gas that occurs naturally in the environment.
Household Ammonia can cause irritation to the respiratory
system and mucous membranes if inhaled, causes chemical
burn if spilled on skin and reacts with chlorinated products.
B. Bleach is a chemical compound used to whiten or make
something lighter which serves as a good disinfectant , and is
capable of killing viruses and bacteria. Household bleach is
either made of sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide. The
common bleaching substance found among Filipino household
is Zonrox, wherein the active ingredient is Sodium hypochlorite.
The hypochlorite ion reacts with water releasing oxygen atom
and oxygen reacts with the colored molecules and bleaches it.
Thus unlike soap and detergents, bleach does not remove stain
but it changes substance to a colorless form. As mentioned in
its label, Zonrox bleach is capable of the following: makes cloth
whiter, provides 99.9% antibacterial protection. has deodorizer,
shortens cleaning time, removes tough stain and dirt, and
flu, rotavirus, Hepa A, E. coli and Salmonella. However,
precautionary measures must be observed in using bleaches. It
must not be used together with other acidic chemicals or
cleaners because it can produce deadly fumes. It can cause
irritation to the respiratory system, skin damage, etc.
Other Ingredients in Cleaning Agents
A. PHENOL
Is a translucent, colorless, crystalline mass, a white powder, or a
thick syrupy liquid which is soluble in water. It is poisonous,
corrosive and flammable.
B. BORAX
Aka sodium borate. It is a white, soft colorless crystal that dissolve
easily in water and usually found in detergents, cosmetics and
enamel glazes.
C. SODIUM BICARBONATE
Aka baking soda is white crystalline solid that appears as a fine
powder. Commonly added to washing machines as a softener
replacement to remove odors from clothes. Effective in removing
heavy tea and coffee stains.
D. TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE
Is a white, granular or crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water.
TSPs are used as cleaning agent, lubricant, food additive, stain
remover and degreaser.
E. SODIUM PERCARBONATE
Is a colorless, crystalline and water soluble solid. It is used in some
eco-friendly cleaning products . An ingredient in most home and
laundry cleaning products.
F. SODIUM PERBORATE
Is white, odorless, water-soluble chemical compound. It serves as a
source of active oxygen in many detergents, laundry detergents,
cleaning products and bleaches. Less aggressive.
BALANCING OF CHEMICAL EQUATIONS
A chemical equation shows the chemical formulas of substances
that are reacting and the substances that are produced. The number
of atoms of the reactants and products need to be balanced. In this
lesson, we will discuss balancing chemical equations.
Balancing Chemical Equations
Let's take a look at this scale. We can see that it is unbalanced, with
the right (red) side, weighing more than
the left (blue) side. In order for the two
sides to be balanced, we need to put a
little more mass on the left side until they
are the same mass.
Unbalanced Scale
Just like we want the scale to be balanced on both sides, a chemical
equation should also be balanced on both sides. A chemical
equation shows us the substances involved in a chemical reaction -
the substances that react (reactants) and the substances that are
produced (products). In general, a chemical equation looks like this:
Chemical Equation:
General Form
According to the law of conservation of mass, when a chemical
reaction occurs, the mass of the products should be equal to the
mass of the reactants. Therefore, the amount of the atoms in each
element does not change in the chemical reaction. As a result, the
chemical equation that shows the chemical reaction needs to be
balanced. A balanced chemical equation occurs when the number of
the atoms involved in the reactants side is equal to the number of
atoms in the products side.
 Let's take a look at an equation representing a chemical reaction:

Balancing Chemical Equations: Example

In this chemical reaction, nitrogen (N2) reacts with hydrogen (H) to

produce ammonia (NH3).The reactants are nitrogen and hydrogen,
and the product is ammonia. If we look at this equation, we can see
that the equation is not balanced.

Balancing Chemical
Equations Example

The equation is not

balanced because in the
reactants side, there are 2 nitrogen (N) atoms and 2 hydrogen (H)
atoms. In the products side, there are 1 nitrogen (N) atoms and 3
hydrogen (H) atoms. The number of the atoms is not balanced on
both sides

To balance the chemical equation above, we need to make use of

coefficients. A coefficient is a number that we place in front of a
chemical formula. In the chemical equation, to make the number of
nitrogen (N) atoms equal on both sides, first, we place a coefficient
of 2 in front of NH3.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Example

Once we do that, the number

of nitrogen (N) atoms on both
sides is balanced. However, the number of hydrogen (H) atoms is
not balanced on both sides. We need to make use of another
coefficient in front of H2. This time, we put a coefficient of 3 in front
of H2 to balance the chemical equation.

Balancing
Chemical
Equations
Example

The equation
above is now
balanced. There are 2 nitrogen (N) atoms and 6 hydrogen (H) atoms
on both the reactants and products side. Since there is no
coefficient in front of N2, that means the coefficient is equal to 1.

Steps to Balance an Equation

Practice always makes perfect. In general, to balance an equation,

here are the things we need to do:

1. Count the atoms of each element in the reactants and the

products.
2. Use coefficients; place them in front of the compounds as
needed.

Prepared by:

Mr. ADRYAN J. VALIAO

Physical Science Teacher