Class-10 Connect To Class (Day-4) Subject-Chemistry

Chapter-1 CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS

Learning Objectives:

● Electrolytic Decomposition reactions

● Photo- Decomposition reaction or photolysis
● Displacement reactions

Today we will learn about the other two types of Decomposition reactions-

(II). Electrolytic Decomposition reactions- The reactions which take place when
electric current is passed through the compound in molten state or aqueous
solution are called electrolytic decomposition reactions or simply electrolysis.

ACTIVITY (1.7)-Electrolysis of water.

OBSERVATIONS-(i) We see the bubbles of gases being formed at both the carbon
electrodes inside the test tube containing water. These bubbles displace water in
the test tube and water level in these test tubes falls gradually.
(ii)The volume of gases collected in the two tubes is not the same. The volume of
gas collected in the negative electrode (cathode) is double the volume of the gas
collected on the positive electrode (anode).

(iii) When a burning candle is brought near the mouth of the left test tube, the gas
in it burns with a ‘pop’ sound but when it is taken near the mouth of the right-side
test tube the gas in it starts burning brightly.

(iv) Since Hydrogen gas burns with a ‘pop’ sound so the gas collected in the left test
tube over negative electrode (which had double volume or 2 volumes) is Hydrogen
while oxygen gas makes the things burn brightly so the gas collected in the right
test tube over the positive electrode (which had 1 volume) is Oxygen.

CONCLUSION-Acidified water undergoes electrolysis

producing H2 and O2 gases in the ratio of 2:1 by
volume.

NOTE- Pure water is a poor conductor of electricity

but water containing a few drops of Sulphuric acid
(acidulated water) is
good.

Another example of electrolytic decomposition – decomposition of molten Sodium

Chloride-on passing electric current through molten Sodium Chloride, it
decomposes to give Sodium metal and Chlorine gas.
 (III). Photolytic- decomposition reaction or
photolysis- Decomposition reactions which
takes place on adsorption of light,
are called photo- decomposition

NOTE-Silver Halides are photosensitive and are decomposed by sunlight, so they

are kept in dark colour bottles.

NOTE- We have observed that Decomposition reactions require energy either in the
form of heat, light or electricity for breaking down the reactants. Reactions in which
energy is absorbed are known as endothermic reactions.

Take about 2 g Barium Hydroxide in a test tube. Add 1 g of Ammonium Chloride and
mix with the help of a glass rod. Touch the bottom of the test tube with your palm.
What do you feel? Is this an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

Ba (OH)2+ 2NH4Cl BaCl2+ 2NH4OH

3. Simple Displacement Reactions: Those reactions in which a more active metal

displaces a less active metal, or a more active non-metal may displace a less active
non-metal from its compound.
Metal activity series consists of metals placed in a decreasing order of reactivity.
This means that the most reactive metal is placed at the top followed by less
reactive ones.

ACTIVITY (1.9)-To study displacement of Copper from Copper Sulphate solution by

iron. This activity requires dipping iron nails in a Copper Sulphate solution and
checking the colour of the solution.

OBSERVATIONS-(I) The Iron nail gets covered with a reddish-brown layer of Copper
metal.

(II) The blue colour of Copper Sulphate solution fades and the solution turns pale
green.
CONCLUSION- Since, iron is more reactive than Copper, therefore, it displaces
Copper from Copper Sulphate solution. The blue colour of Copper Sulphate solution
fades due to the formation of pale green solution of Iron (II) Sulphate. The Copper
displayed from Copper Sulphate by Iron gets coated as a reddish-brown coating on
the Iron nails. The Displacement reaction occurs because iron is more reactive than
Copper.

Some more examples of simple Displacement reaction:

RECAPITULATION

1.Why Silver Halides are stored in dark coloured bottles?

2. What happens when a Copper coin is dipped in Silver Nitrate solution?

3. Why is Copper not able to displace Zinc from Zinc Sulphate solution?

4. Why is Hydrogen collected double the amount of Oxygen in electrolysis of water?

5.What happens when Zinc granules are dipped in Copper Sulphate solution?

6. Why is the volume of Hydrogen is double the volume of Oxygen in electrolysis of

water?