The Fundamentals of Chemical Reactions: Understanding the Law of

Conservation of Mass and Factors Influencing Reaction Rates

Chemical reactions form the basis of numerous natural and industrial processes,
playing a vital role in sustaining life and driving various transformations. These
reactions involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds between atoms,
resulting in the conversion of one or more substances into new substances with
distinct chemical and physical properties. Photosynthesis, for instance, is a critical
chemical reaction enabling plants, algae, and certain bacteria to convert light energy
into chemical energy. The overall chemical formula for photosynthesis is 6CO2 +
6H2O + sunlight energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

According to various authors and scientific research, the law of conservation of mass
is a fundamental principle governing chemical reactions. This law asserts that during
a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants must remain constant, as matter
cannot be created or destroyed; it merely transforms from one form to another. This
concept is exemplified in the process of photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide and
water are converted into glucose and oxygen, maintaining the overall mass balance
(Author A, 2021).

Several factors, as discussed by different authors, influence the rate and efficiency of
chemical reactions. The collision theory posits that for a reaction to occur, reactant
particles must collide with sufficient energy and proper orientation. The probability of
successful collisions increases with higher concentrations of reactants and elevated
temperatures (Author B, 2018). Additionally, the activation energy, which represents
the minimum energy required for a reaction, also plays a significant role in
determining reaction rates. Catalysts, which lower the activation energy, can
accelerate reactions by increasing their likelihood (Author C, 2015).

The rate of a chemical reaction, as explained by various authors, is another crucial

aspect. It determines the speed at which reactants are converted into products and is
affected by factors such as temperature, concentration, surface area, and the presence
of catalysts (Author D, 2020).
In conclusion, understanding the factors that affect chemical reactions, as explained
by various authors and scientific research, is crucial in controlling and optimizing
various natural and industrial processes. The law of conservation of mass,
demonstrated through examples like photosynthesis, emphasizes the importance of
chemical reactions in sustaining life on Earth. By comprehending principles such as
the collision theory, activation energy, and rate of reaction, we can better appreciate
and harness the power of chemical reactions in our daily lives and advancements in
science and technology.

References:

Atkins, P. W. (2019). Physical chemistry (10th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Friedman, R. (2019). General chemistry (14th ed.). Pearson.

Explanation:

Besides energy, the orientation of the collision must be right as well.

Web

https://nesslabs.com/activation-energy

For instance, in the image above, Carbon must collide with oxygen for a reaction to
occur.

In chemistry, activation energy is the energy that must be provided to result in a

chemical reaction. The more energy is needed, the harder it is to start the chemical
reaction. In work and life as well, we sometimes need to get over the initial hump of
getting started.
Rate of Reaction is the speed at which a chemical reaction occurs. A low-rate reaction
means that the rearrangement of molecules by breaking old bonds and creating new
bonds is slow. Some reactions can take hundreds of years to occur, whereas others can
occur in less than a second. Consider how long it takes plants and ancient fish to
become fossils if you want to conceive of an extremely slow reaction (carbonization).
The Speed of Reaction is also affected by the type of molecules combined. The
reaction will be slower if an essential element or compound is present in low
concentrations.

The Rate of Reaction is defined as the change in the concentration of any one of the
reactants or products per unit of time.

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/rate-of-reaction/

EXOTHERMIC AND ENDOTHERMIC

If the chemicals in the reaction have lost this much energy, then
this much energy have been released to the surroundings.
Progress of the reaction
For this reaction we’d have to put the products lower down because they have less energy.
Exothermic
Endothermic
REACTION PROFILES
Different chemical store different amounts of energy in their bonds
For example: if we took the reaction methane + oxygen goes to form carbon dioxide and
water.
CH4 + 2O2
CO2 + 2H2O
Hold different amount of energy.
Each have different amounts of energy in their chemical energy stores.
How much energy all of the reactants have in total compared to how much energy all the
products have
in total, product would have less energy than the reactants. REACTANTS
Remember energy can’t be created or destroyed it can only be change from one form to
another.
First law of thermodynamics also known as law of conservation of energy.
Usually in a form of heat most common type of exothermic reaction in combustion
reactions.
Endothermic take in heat energy from the surroundings
CaCo3
CaO + Co2
Breakdown calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide we have to supply
heat, by using
Bunsen burner.
Products is more energy than the reactants
Activation energy is the minimum amount in energy the reactant particles in order to collide
with each
other and react. The greater energy the more energy will be required to start the reaction.
So as you can see even in an exothermic reaction like this one which releases energy overall
some
energy still required to get the reaction going in the first place we ca do the same thing for
endothermic
reaction profiles.
Activation energy will be the difference energy between the reactants energy and the very
top of our
curve this means that if we wanted to show the same reactions but which slightly higher
activation
energies then we just make our curves go a bit higher. Whereas if we wanted to show lower
activation
energies we would just make it a bit lower.
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
In chemistry, exothermic and endothermic reactions are two fundamental types of chemical
reactions
that differ in how they exchange energy with their surroundings.Exothermic Reactions:
An exothermic reaction is one in which energy is released from the system into the
surroundings. This
release of energy often occurs in the form of heat, and it can also manifest as light, sound, or
a decrease
in temperature in the surrounding environment. A classic example of an exothermic reaction
is the
chemical reaction between sodium and chlorine, which produces a bright yellow light and a
significant
amount of heat energy. Another example is the burning of a substance, which also releases
energy in
the form of heat to its surroundings. The key characteristic of exothermic reactions is the
release of
energy to the surroundings, resulting in a negative enthalpy change (ΔH < 0)
Endothermic Reactions:
In contrast, an endothermic reaction occurs when energy is absorbed from the surroundings
into the
system. This absorption of energy typically takes the form of heat, and it can lead to an
increase in
temperature in the surrounding environment. An example of an endothermic reaction is
photosynthesis,
where plants absorb energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose
and oxygen.
Another example is the process of dissolving certain salts in water, which can lead to a
decrease in
temperature in the surrounding environment due to the absorption of heat. The defining
feature of
endothermic reactions is the absorption of energy from the surroundings, resulting in a
positive
enthalpy change (ΔH > 0)
The main difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions lies in their energy
exchange with
the surroundings: exothermic reactions release energy, while endothermic reactions absorb
energy. This
energy exchange can manifest as changes in temperature, light, sound, or the formation or
breaking of
chemical bonds. In summary, exothermic reactions release energy to the surroundings, often
in the form
of heat, while endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings, typically in the
form of heat.