Chemical Reactions and Equations

The processes, in which a substance or substances undergo a chemical change to produce new substance or
substances, with entire new properties,are known as chemical reactions. Only a rearrangement of atoms takes place
in a chemical reaction.

The burning of magnesium in the air to form magnesium oxide is an example of a chemical reaction.
2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
Before burning in air, the magnesium ribbon is cleaned by rubbing with sandpaper.
This is done to remove the protective layer of basic magnesium carbonate from the surface of the magnesium
ribbon.

Characteristics of Chemical Reactions :

1.Evolution of gas: Gas production, such as bubbles or effervescence, is a common

indicator of a chemical reaction.
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)
2.Formation of precipitate: A precipitate, a solid that forms from a liquid mixture may appear due to a chemical
reaction.
BaCl2(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) (ppt) + 2HCl(aq)
3.Change in Colour: The color of substances involved in a chemical reaction may change, indicating a chemical
change. The chemical reaction between citric acid and purple coloured potassium permanganate solution is
characterised by a change in colour from purple to colourless.
4.Change in temperature: Chemical reactions often involve the release or absorption of heat,leading to temperature
changes.
5.Change in state of substance: Changes in the state of matter, such as solid to liquid or gas, can occur during
chemical reactions. The combustion reaction of candle wax is characterised by a change in state from solid to liquid
and gas

Chemical Equation: Representation of chemical reaction using symbols and formulae of the substances is called
Chemical Equation.

Types of Chemical Reactions:

1. Combination Reaction is a chemical reaction in which two or more reactants combine to form a single product.
General Form: A+B→AB

Examples:
A.Formation of Water (Hydrogen and Oxygen):
2H2 + O2  2H20

B.Formation of calcium hydroxide.

CaO(s)+H2O (l)→Ca(OH) 2 (aq)+Heat

Quick lime reacts with water vigorously.A large amount of heat is evolved and produces a hissing sound.

This calcium hydroxide when applies on wall reacts slowly with carbon dioxide to form a thin white shiny layer of
calcium carbonate : Ca(OH) 2+CO2→CaCO3+H2O

Decomposition Reaction: Reactions in which one compound decomposes in two or more compounds or elements
are known as Decomposition Reaction.
General Form: AB → A + B

Examples:
When calcium carbonate is heated, it decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
CaCO3(s) + heat →CaO(s) + CO2(g)

Types of Decomposition Reaction:

i)Thermal Decomposition: The decomposition of a substance on heating is known as Thermal Decomposition.

1)Lead nitrate on heating undergo thermal decomposition reaction to form a yellow residue of lead oxide, brown
fumes of nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.

Pb(NO3)2(s) + heat →2PbO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

2)Ferrous sulphate crystals (FeSO4.7H2O) lose water when heated and the colour of the crystals changes from green
to white.It then decomposes to ferric oxide (Fe2O3) which is reddish brown in colour, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and
sulphur trioxide (SO3).

2FeSO4(s)+ heat→Fe2O3(s)+SO2(g)+SO3(g)

ii)Electrolytic Decomposition: Reactions in which compounds decompose into simpler compounds because of passing
of electricity, are known as Electrolytic Decomposition. This is also known as Electrolysis.
Example: When electricity is passed in water, it decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen.

At anode Oxygen gas is obtained.

At cathode Hydrogen gas is obtained.

2H2O(l)→2H2(g)+O2(g)

Water splits in to 2 molecules of hydrogen and 1

molecule of oxygen. Since, number of molecules of
hydrogen released is double the number of
molecules of oxygen released, Volume occupied by
hydrogen gas is double the volume occupied by
oxygen gas.

iii) Photolysis or Photo Decomposition Reaction: Reactions in which a compound decomposes because of sunlight are
known as Photolysis or Photo Decomposition Reaction.

Example: When silver chloride is put in sunlight, it decomposes into silver metal and chlorine gas.
2AgCl(s) (white) →2Ag(s) (grey) + Cl2(g)

3. Displacement Reaction: The chemical reactions in which a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element
from a compound is known as Displacement Reactions.

General Form: A + BC → AC + B
Displacement reaction takes place only when ‘A’ is more reactive than B. If ‘B’ is more reactive than ‘A’, then ‘A’ will
not displace ‘C’ from ‘BC’ and reaction will not be taking place.

a)When zinc reacts with copper sulphate, it forms zinc sulphate and copper metal.

Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

b) Fe placed in copper sulphate, displaces copper from copper sulphate solution and releases free copper particles.
This results in the change of blue coloured copper sulphate solution to green coloured ferrous sulphate solution.

Fe (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → FeSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)

c)When lead reacts with copper chloride, it forms lead chloride and copper metal.
.

Pb(s) + CuCl2(aq) → PbCl2(aq) + Cu(s)

(iv) Double Displacement Reaction: Reactions in which ions are exchanged between two reactants forming new
compounds are called Double Displacement Reactions.

General Form: AB + CD → AC + BD

Example: BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) (ppt.) + 2NaCl(aq)

When a solution of potassium iodide is added to a solution of lead nitrate taken in a test tube, the precipitation of a
yellowish solid is observed. This yellowish solid is lead iodide. Potassium nitrate is formed along with lead iodide.
This is a double displacement reaction.

(v) Oxidation and Reduction Reactions:

Addition of oxygen or removal of hydrogen from a compound is known as Oxidation.

Addition of hydrogen or removal of oxygen from a compound is called Reduction.

Oxidation and Reduction take place together.

Oxidizing agent: (Substance which gets reduced is oxidizing agent.)

 The substance which gives oxygen for oxidation is called an Oxidizing agent.
 The substance which removes hydrogen is also called an Oxidizing agent.

Reducing agent: (Substance which gets oxidised is reducing agent.)

 The substance which gives hydrogen for reduction is called a Reducing agent.
 The substance which removes oxygen is also called a Reducing agent.

Example: CuO + H2 → Cu + H2O

Why is respiration considered as an exothermic reaction?

The glucose produced in our body during digestion combines with oxygen in the cells of our body and provides
energy. The special name of this reaction is respiration. Thus respiration is an exothermic process because energy is
produced during this process.
C6H12O6(aq) + 6O2(g) → 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) + Energy

Effects of Oxidation Reactions in Everyday life: Corrosion and Rancidity.

Corrosion: Corrosion is the gradual degradation of metals due to their reaction with atmospheric oxygen,moisture,
or other chemicals..
Example: Rusting of iron.

Methods to Prevent Rusting

 By painting.
 By greasing and oiling.
 By galvanisation.

Rancidity: The taste and odour of food materials containing fat and oil changes when they are left exposed to air for
a long time. This is called Rancidity. It is caused due to the oxidation of fat and oil present in food materials.

Methods to prevent rancidity:

 By adding anti-oxidant.
 Vacuum packing.
 Replacing air by nitrogen.
 Refrigeration of foodstuff.