Chemical reactions and atomic

structure
Chemical reactions

A Chemical Reaction is a process that occurs when two or

more molecules interact to form a new product(s).

Chemical reactions are of 5 types

synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double

replacement, and combustion.

Synthesis reaction

A synthesis reaction or direct combination reaction is a type of chemical

reaction in which two or more simple substances combine to form a more
complex product. The reactants may be elements or compounds, while the
product is always a compound.
A+B= AB

Examples of Synthesis Reactions

Here are some examples of synthesis reactions:

 Water:
2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(g)
 Carbon dioxide:
2 CO(g) + O2(g) → 2CO2(g)
 Ammonia:
3 H2(g) + N2(g) → 2 NH3(g)
 Aluminum oxide:
4 Al(s) + 3 O2(g) → 2 Al2O3(s)
 Iron sulfide:
8 Fe + S8 → 8 FeS
 Potassium chloride:
2 K(s) + Cl2(g) → 2 KCl(s)
Decomposition reaction

What is a Decomposition Reaction?

A decomposition reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which a
compound breaks down into two or more substances. It is the opposite
of a combination reaction.

AB=A+B
Examples of Decomposition Reaction
H2CO3 (aq.) → CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
2H2O = 2H2 + 02
2AgBr =2Ag + Br2

TYPES OF DECOMPOSITION REACTION

1. Thermal Decomposition

In this reaction, energy in the form of heat is required to break the bonds of the compound. The reaction is
generally endothermic, i.e., heat is added to the reaction.

Examples of thermal decomposition reaction

CaCO3 (s) + heat → CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

2 H3PO4 → H4P2O7 + H2O

(NH4)2Cr2O7 (s) + heat → Cr2O3 (s) + N2 (g) + 4 H2O (g)

2. Electrolytic Decomposition

In this reaction, decomposition occurs when an electric current is passed through an aqueous solution of
the compound.

Examples

2 H2O (l) → 2 H2 (g) + O2 (g)

2 NaCl (l) → 2 Na (l) + Cl2 (g)

Photo or Photochemical Decomposition

In this reaction, light (photons) is used to decompose the compound. 0

Examples

2 AgCl (s) + sunlight → 2 Ag (s) + Cl2 (g)

2 H2O2 (l) → 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g)

Catalytic Decomposition

In this type of decomposition, the reaction occurs with the aid of a catalyst.

Example

2 H2O2 (l) + catalase (enzyme) → 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g)

Single-Displacement Reaction Definition

A single-displacement reaction is a chemical reaction where one reactant is
exchanged for one ion of a second reactant. It is also known as a single-
replacement reaction. Single displacement reactions take the form:

A + BC → B + AC

Single-Displacement Reaction Examples

The reaction between zinc metal and hydrochloric acid to produce zinc
chloride and hydrogen gas is an example of a single-displacement reaction:

Zn(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)

Another example is the displacement of iron from an iron(II) oxide solution

using coke as a carbon source:

2 Fe2O3 (s) + 3 C (s) → Fe(s) + CO2 (g)

DOUBLE DISPLACEMENT
A double displacement reaction is a type of reaction in which two reactants
exchange ions to form two new compounds. Double displacement reactions
typically result in the formation of a product that is a precipitate.

Double displacement reactions take the form:

AB + CD → AD + CB

Examples of Double Displacement Reactions

Pb(NO3)2(aq) + 2 KI(aq) → 2 KNO3(aq) + PbI2(s)

NaHCO3 + CH3COOH(aq) → H2CO3 + NaCH3COO

COMBUSTION REACTION
Combustion is a high-temperature exothermic (heat releasing) redox (oxygen
adding) chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant, usually atmospheric
oxygen, that produces oxidized, often gaseous products, in a mixture termed as
smoke.

The fuel you burn in your car's engine contains octane, C8H18. When octane is
burned, the products are CO2 and H2O.
 2C8H18(l) + 25O2(g) → 16CO2(g) + 18H2O(g)

Examples of chemical reaction

Burning of wood
Cooking of food
Rusting of iron
Digestion
Respiration

Atomic structure
o what is the definition of an atom? An atom is a building block of matter, used to
determine the characteristics of an element. Learn the definition of an element. An atom
is the smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical properties of an element.

Atoms contain up of 3 basic components known as subatomic particles, consisting

of protons (positively charged), neutrons (no charge), and electrons (negatively
charged).

What are protons?

Proton Definition: Protons are positively charged subatomic particles, found in the
nucleus of all atoms. The charge of a proton is +1. The atomic number of an element is
equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. Protons consist of two up quarks, and
one down quark. It has a mass of 1.007277 amu (atomic mass units).

What are neutrons?

Neutron definition: So what is a neutron? A neutron is a undeniably a neutrally charged
subatomic particle, found in the nucleus of all atoms except hydrogen. The mass of a
neutron is slightly more than of a proton.

Protons and neutrons are both generally called nucleons.

What are electrons?

Electron definition: Electrons are the subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an
atom. They are negative in charge and are much smaller than protons or neutron. In fact,
they are 1,800 times smaller. They also carry electricity. The charge of an electron is -1.
An electron carries a charge of 1.6 x 10-19 coulombs. They have no known components
or substructure. They have a mass of .000549 amu.

What is the Nucleus in the Atom

Let’s talk more about atomic structure. The center of an atom is called the nucleus and is
made up of both protons and neutrons. This part of the atom is able to determine a wide
range of properties, such as the atomic number and atomic mass.

What are Electron Shells in Atoms

The electron shells are located on the outermost region of an atom surrounding the
nucleus. This region contains only electrons, then it is able to determine the net
charge of an atom.

Electronic configuration
The electronic configuration of an element describes how
electrons are distributed in its atomic orbitals
Electronic configuration of the first 20 elements
Hydrogen 1
Helium 2
Lithium 2,1
Beryllium 2,2
Boron 2,3
Carbon 2,4
Nitrogen 2,5
Oxygen 2,6
Florine 2,7
Neon 2,8
Sodium 2,8,1
Magnesium 2,8,2
Aluminium 2,8,3
Silicon 2,8,4
Phosphorus 2,8,5
Sulphur 2,8,6
Chlorine 2,8,7
Argon 2,8,8
Potassium 2,8,8,1
Calcium 2,8,8,2