Chapter 1. Chemical Reactions and Equations

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CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND

EQUATIONS
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Page 1
Class 10th Chemistry
01 CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS

INDEX
Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations

Concepts Covered:
1. Introduction
➢ Chemical reaction
2. Chemical Equation
➢ Writing of Chemical Equations
➢ Balanced Chemical Equation
➢ Unbalanced Chemical Equation
➢ Balancing of a Chemical Equation
➢ Examples to illustrate balancing by “Hit & trail method”
➢ Implications of balanced chemical equation
➢ Limitations of Chemical Equations
➢ Ionic equation
3. Types of Chemical Reactions
➢ Combination Reaction
➢ Decomposition reactions
➢ Displacement reaction
➢ Double Displacement Reactions
➢ Precipitation
➢ Neutralization
➢ Oxidation - Reduction Reactions
4. The Effects of Oxidation Reactions in Everyday Life
➢ Corrosion
➢ Prevention of Corrosion
➢ Rancidity
• Methods of Preventing Rancidity
5. Mind Map
(Colourful & Interactive/ Complete All Concept Covered)
Practice Questions (All Topics Available)
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
A chemical reaction occurs when one or more reactants are changed into one or more
products. The constituent atoms of the reactants are rearranged in a chemical
reaction, resulting in the formation of various substances as products.
A word equation is a chemical reaction expressed in words rather

than chemical formulas. It helps identify the reactants and products
in a chemical reaction.
Chemical reaction
The transformation of chemical substance into another chemical substance is known as Chemical
Reaction. For example: Rusting of iron, the setting of milk into curd, digestion of food, respiration,
etc.
In a chemical reaction, a new substance is formed which is completely different in properties from
the original substance, so in a chemical reaction, a chemical change takes place.
Only a rearrangement of atoms takes place in a chemical reaction.
• The substances which take part in a chemical reaction are

called reactants.
• The new substances produced as a result of a chemical reaction are called
products.
Example: 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.
Reactant
Substances which take part in a chemical reaction are called reactants.
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INTRODUCTION
Example: Mg and O2.
Product
New substance formed after a chemical reaction is called a product.
Example: MgO.
Examples of some chemical reaction
Combustion
You experience combustion reactions when you strike a match, burn a candle, start a campfire, or
light a grill. In a combustion reaction, a fuel reacts with oxygen from air to produce water and carbon
dioxide. Here is the reaction for the combustion of propane, a fuel used in gas grills and some
fireplaces:
C3H8 + 5O2 → 4H2O + 3CO2 + energy
Photosynthesis
Plants use a chemical reaction called photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and water into food
(glucose) and oxygen. It’s a key reaction because it generates oxygen and yields food for plants and
animals.
The overall chemical reaction for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Page 4

INTRODUCTION
Aerobic Cellular Respiration
Animals use the oxygen provided by plants to perform essentially the reverse reaction of
photosynthesis to get energy for cells. Aerobic respiration reacts glucose and oxygen to form water
and chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Here is the overall equation for aerobic cellular respiration:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (36 ATP)
Anaerobic Cellular Respiration
Organisms also have ways of getting energy without oxygen. Humans use anaerobic respiration
during intense or prolonged exercise to get enough energy to muscle cells. Yeast and bacteria use
anaerobic respiration in the form of fermentation to make everyday products, such as wine, vinegar,
yogurt, bread, cheese, and beer.
The equation for one form of anaerobic respiration is:
C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + energy
Acid-Base Reactions
Acid-base reactions occur anytime you mix an acid (e.g., lemon juice, vinegar,
muriatic acid, battery acid, carbonic acid from carbonated beverages) with a base
(e.g., baking soda, ammonia, lye).
A good example of an acid-base reaction is the reaction between baking soda and
vinegar to form sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide gas:
NaHCO3 + HC2H3O2 → NaC2H3O2 + H2O + CO2
In general, a reaction between an acid and a base produces a salt and water. For example, if you
react muriatic acid (HCl) and lye (NaOH), you get table salt (NaCl) and water (H2O):
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
In this reaction, two clear liquids form another clear liquid, but you can tell a reaction occurs because
it releases a lot of heat.
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INTRODUCTION
Characteristics
Evolution of gas: The chemical reaction between zinc and dilute sulphuric acid is characterised by
the evolution of hydrogen gas.
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)↑
Change in Colour: The chemical reaction between citric acid and purple coloured potassium
permanganate solution is characterised by a change in colour from purple to colourless.
The chemical reaction between sulphur dioxide gas and acidified potassium dichromate solution is
characterized by a change in colour from orange to green.
Change in state of substance: The combustion reaction of candle wax is characterised by a change
in state from solid to liquid and gas (because the wax is a solid, water formed by the combustion of
wax is a liquid at room temperature whereas, carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of wax is
a gas). There are some chemical reactions which can show more than one characteristic.
Change in temperature: The chemical reaction between quick lime water to form slaked lime is
characterized by a change in temperature (which is a rise in temperature).
The chemical reaction between zinc granules and dilute sulphuric acid is also characterised by a
change in temperature (which is a rise in temperature).
Formation of precipitate: The chemical reaction between

sulphuric acid and barium chloride solution is characterised
by the formation of a white precipitate of barium sulphate.
BaCl2(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) (ppt) + 2HCl(aq)
Page 6

CHEMICAL EQUATION
CHEMICAL EQUATION
Due to the vast amounts of chemical reactions happening around us, a nomenclature was developed
to simplify how we express a chemical reaction in the form of a chemical equation. A chemical
equation is nothing but a mathematical statement which symbolizes the product formation from
reactants while stating certain condition for which how the reaction has been conducted.
Writing of Chemical Equations
Representation of chemical reaction using symbols and formulae of the substances is called Chemical
Equation.
Example: A + B → C + D
In this equation, A and B are called reactants and C and D are called the
products. The arrow shows the direction of the chemical reaction. Condition,
if any, is written generally above the arrow.
When hydrogen reacts with oxygen, it gives water. This reaction can be represented
by the following chemical equation:
Hydrogen + Oxygen → Water
H2 + O2 → H2O
In the first equation, words are used and in second, symbols of substances are used to write the
chemical equation. For convenience, the symbol of substance is used to represent chemical
equation. A chemical equation is a way to represent the chemical reaction in a concise and
informative way.
A chemical equation can be divided into two types: Balanced Chemical Equation and Unbalanced
Chemical Equation.
Balanced Chemical Equation
A balanced chemical equation has the number of atoms of each element equal on both sides.
Example: Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2
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CHEMICAL EQUATION
In this equation, numbers of zinc, hydrogen and sulphate are equal on both sides, so it is a Balanced
Chemical Equation.
According to the Law of Conservation of Mass, mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a
chemical reaction. To obey this law, the total mass of elements present in reactants must be equal
to the total mass of elements present in products.
Unbalanced Chemical Equation
If the number of atoms of each element in reactants is not equal to the number of atoms of each
element present in the product, then the chemical equation is called Unbalanced Chemical Equation.
Example: Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
In this example, a number of atoms of elements are not equal on two sides
of the reaction. For example, on the left-hand side only one iron atom
is present, while three iron atoms are present on the right-hand
side. Therefore, it is an unbalanced chemical equation.
Balancing of a Chemical Equation

The chemical equation in which the number of atoms of each element on the reactants side is equal
to that of the products side is called a balanced chemical equation.
Steps for Balancing Chemical Equations
The changes that occur during a chemical reaction are represented by a chemical
equation.
Reactants → Products
The equilibrium of all chemical equations must be maintained. This means

that on both sides of the arrow, the number of each sort of atom must be the
same.
Chemical equations are balanced using coefficients. A coefficient is a numerical

value that is added to the front of a chemical symbol or formula. It indicates
the number of atoms or molecules of the material involved in the process.
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CHEMICAL EQUATION
Place coefficients in front of symbols or formulas as needed to balance a chemical equation so that
the same number of each type of atom appears in both reactants and products.
For example, Zn + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2
The balanced equation is Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2
Examples to illustrate balancing by “Hit & trail method”.

Chemical equations are balanced by adding stoichiometric coefficients to the reactants and
products. It's significant because the laws of conservation of mass and constant proportions must be
enforced by a chemical equation in which the same number of atoms of the reactant and product
sides of the equation must remain constant.
Experiments are carried out utilising the least whole number coefficient to balance chemical
equations in the hit and trial method of balancing chemical equations. As a result, it's known as the
hit and trial method.
Count the number of times an element appears on both sides.
To begin, an element with the lowest frequency of occurrence is balanced.
Because two or more elements have the same frequency, metallic

elements are matched first.
How we can balance this equation:
2H2 + 3O2 → 2H2O.
Step 1: Equalize the number of oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation. There
are 6 oxygen atoms on the reactant side. As a result, we'll multiply the product side
by three to achieve balance.
Step 2: We'll now balance the number of hydrogen atoms in the system. We'll multiply H 2 by 3
because there are 12 hydrogen atoms on the product side.
The result of a balanced reaction is 6H2 + 3O2 → 6H2O.
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CHEMICAL EQUATION
Implications of balanced chemical equation
For studying a chemical reaction, balancing a chemical equation is important. This is because it tells
about the number of moles reacting and producing. Also, it tells the amount of electrons transferred
from one compound to another. Balancing/ balanced equation also tells about the energy changes
that take place.
Limitations of Chemical Equations
❖ It does not give information about the physical state of reactants and products.
Example: solid, liquid or gas.
❖ We does not get information about the reactants and products concentration.
❖ It does not give information about the speed of reaction and sense of timing.
❖ We does not get information about the favourable conditions of the reactions
such as temperature, catalyst, pressure etc.
❖ The information whether heat is absorbed or released is not obtained
during reaction.
❖ The information about the necessary precautions that has to
be taken for the completion of reaction is not obtained.
❖ The information if the reaction is reversible or irreversible does not
obtained.
Ionic equation
An ionic equation is a chemical equation where the electrolytes in aqueous solution are written as
dissociated ions. Usually, this is a salt dissolved in water, where the ionic species are followed by (aq)
in the equation, to indicate they are in aqueous solution. The ions in aqueous solution are stabilized
by ion-dipole interactions with water molecules. However, an ionic equation may be written for any
electrolyte the dissociates and reacts in a polar solvent.
Balancing of ionic equation
In a balanced ionic equation, the number and type of atoms are the same on both sides of the
reaction arrow. Additionally, the net charge is the same on both sides of the equation.
Page 10

CHEMICAL EQUATION
Strong acids, strong bases, and soluble ionic compounds (usually salts) exist as dissociated ions in
aqueous solution, so they are written as ions in the ionic equation. Weak acids and bases and
insoluble salts are usually written using their molecular formulas because only a small amount of
them dissociates into ions. There are exceptions, especially with acid-base reactions.
Example: Ag+(aq) + NO3-(aq) + Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq) → AgCl(s) + Na+(aq) + NO3-(aq) is an ionic equation
of the chemical reaction:
AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)
Page 11

TYPES OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Combination Reaction
Combination Reaction is reaction when single product is formed from the combination of two or
more reactants.
Example: CaO (S) + H2O (I) → Ca (OH)2(aq)
Reactions can be exothermic as well as endothermic. Exothermic reaction release heats and raises
the temperature of the surroundings. For Example, Respiration is an example of exothermic reaction.
C6H12O6(aq) + 6O2 (aq) → 6CO2 + 6H2O + 6H2O (I) + energy
Endothermic reaction involved the absorption of the heat and thus it cools the surrounding. The
decomposition of dead organic material is an endothermic reaction.
Decomposition reactions
Decomposition reactions, on the other hand, are the polar opposite of combination reactions. A
decomposition reaction occurs when a complex is broken down into two or more simple components
using heat or electricity.
Thermal decomposition occurs when a substance decomposes owing to heat,
whereas electrolytic decomposition occurs when a substance decomposes
due to electricity.
Electrolysis is the process of decomposing a substance by putting an
electric current through it.
Photolysis: The decomposition of a compound with light is called
photolysis.
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• Mercuric oxide, when heated, undergoes thermal decomposition, to give mercury and
oxygen.
Thermal decomposition
2HgOs → 2Hg l + O2(g)
• Similarly, heating blue copper nitrate crystals causes thermal breakdown, resulting in black
copper oxide, reddish brown nitrogen dioxide fumes, and a colourless oxygen gas.
Thermal decomposition
2Cu(NO3 )2(s) → 2CuOs + 4NO2g + O2
• When water is acidified with a little amount of sulphuric acid and a direct current is run
through it, electrolytic breakdown occurs, resulting in hydrogen and oxygen.
Electrolytic decomposition
2H2 OI → 2H2g + O2g
• When molten lead bromide is exposed to an electric charge, it decomposes into lead and
bromine.
Electrolytic decomposition
PbBr2 → Pbs + Br2I
Displacement reaction
Displacement reaction occurs when the atoms of one element replace the atoms of another element
in a compound's molecules.
Elements in the Activity Series that are higher in the hierarchy displace elements that are lower in
the hierarchy. Electropositive elements that are more abundant displace electronegative elements
that are less abundant. Conversely, electronegative elements with a greater charge density will
displace electronegative elements with a lower charge density. For e.g.,
Fe(s) + 2CuSO4(aq) → 4FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)↓
Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + H2O↓
2KI(aq) + Cl2(g) → 2KCl(aq) + I2(S)
Page 13

The iodine that has been freed dissolves in the chloroform, turning it purple.
Double Displacement Reactions

The Reaction in which ions are exchanged between two reactants forming new compounds is called
Double Displacement Reaction.
For Example: When barium chloride reacts with sodium sulphate, white precipitate of barium
sulphate is formed along with sodium chloride.
BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq)
Precipitation
In all of the following processes, a white material is generated that is insoluble in water. A precipitate
is the insoluble substance that forms. A precipitation reaction is a reaction that results in the
formation of a precipitate.
Neutralization
The reactants are a base and an acid, and the products are salt and water. Neutralization is a form of
double displacement reaction in which the reactants are a base and an acid, and the products are
salt and water. The positive charge of the acid's hydrogen ion and the negative charge
of the base's hydroxyl ions or oxide ions lose their electrical charge and form covalent
water molecules.
Na+OH- + H+Cl- → Na+Cl- + H2O
Base + Acid + Salt + Water
Zn2+ + O2- + 2H+NO3- → Zn2+(NO3)2- + H2O
A neutralization reaction is basically a reaction between H+ and OH (ions) i.e.,
H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l)
Page 14

Oxidation - Reduction Reactions

"Oxidation is a reaction in which oxygen is added or hydrogen is removed from a substance".
Addition of Oxygen - Magnesium oxide is formed when oxygen reacts with magnesium.
2Mg(s) + O2 → 2MgO(s)
Removal of Hydrogen - To liberate free iodine, hydrogen is removed from hydro iodic acid.
2HI(g) + 2H2(g) → I2(g)

Removal of Oxygen - Copper metal is formed by removing oxygen from copper
oxide.
CuO(s) + CO(g) → Cu(s) → Cu(s) + CO2(g)
Addition of Hydrogen - When hydrogen reacts with chlorine,
hydrogen chloride gas is formed.
H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g)
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01 CHEMICAL REACTIONS & EQUATIONS

THE EFFECTS OF OXIDATION REACTIONS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Corrosion
Corrosion is a slow process in which the surfaces of metallic objects are coated with oxides,
hydroxide, carbonate, or sulphide of metal. This leads to the destruction of metal by chemical or
electrochemical reactions with the environment. Corrosion may also be defined as the slow
degradation of metal surfaces by the action of air, moisture, or a chemical on their surface.
It causes deterioration (damage) to the buildings, bridges, ships, and metal objects, especially iron.
Every year we spend a huge amount of money on account of corrosion.
Some of the examples of corrosion are:
• Development of Green Coating on Copper

• Tarnishing of Silver
• Rusting of Iron
Corrosion of Copper
Copper articles develop a coating of green-coloured copper carbonate when they are exposed to a
humid atmosphere.
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡
2𝐶𝑢 (𝑠) + 𝐶𝑂
⏟ 2 (𝑔) + 𝑂2 (𝑔) + 𝐻2 𝑂(𝐼) → 𝐶𝑢𝐶𝑂3 . 𝐶𝑢(𝑂𝐻 )2 (𝑠)
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑖𝑟
Basic Copper Carbonate(Green)
Corrosion of Silver
Silver articles lose their lustre and develop a black coating on their surface. This is due to its oxidation
to silver sulphide (Ag2S) on reacting with hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in air. This is also known as
tarnishing silver.
2Ag + H2 S → Ag 2 S + H2
Corrosion of Iron
The most common form of corrosion is rusting of iron metal. When an iron article remains exposed
to moist air for a considerable time, its surface gets covered with a brown, flaky, and non-sticky
substance called rust.
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Rust is a hydrated ferric oxide (Fe2 O3 . xH2 O). It is formed due to oxygen gas and water vapour
present in the air on the iron surface. It can be represented as follows:
4Fe + 3O2 + 2xH2 O → 2Fe2 O3 . xH2 O
In this reaction, the number of water molecules (x) in the rust varies. Rust is a soft and porous
substance that slowly falls off the surface of an iron object, and the iron below it starts rusting. It
shows that rusting or corrosion of iron is a continuous process that eats up the whole iron object if
not prevented.
Corrosion or rusting weakens the iron and steel objects and structures such as car bodies, bridges,
railing, ships, etc.
Prevention of Corrosion
Corrosion of metals is a serious problem, and various measures are taken to prevent it. The main
principle behind each method is not allowing the metal surface to come in contact with moisture
and air.
Few methods of prevention of corrosion are given below:
➢ Corrosion of metals can be prevented by coating their surfaces with paint or

varnish.
➢ Movable parts of the machinery are prevented from corrosion
by the application of oil or grease.
➢ Corrosion of metals can also be prevented by coating their surface with non-
corrosive metals.
For example:
• Corrosion of copper can be prevented by coating it with tin.

• Metallic articles can be electroplated with noble metals like silver and gold.
➢ Metals like aluminium can be coated with a thin, strong layer of their oxides. This
passive layer protects it from corrosion. The process is known as anodising.
➢ Corrosion of some metals can be prevented by converting them into alloys. For example, iron can
be converted into stainless steel.
➢ Rusting of iron can also be prevented by covering its surface with a layer of more reactive metal
which prevents iron from oxidation. Zinc is often used for covering iron, and the process is called
Page 17

galvanisation. It is an effective method of protecting iron because even if the surface is scratched,
the zinc still protects it.
Rancidity
Oxidation has a damaging effect on our food and eatables. Atmospheric oxidation deteriorates
stored foodstuffs containing fats and oils and makes them unfit for human use. The foodstuffs
containing fats and oils when stored for a long time develop unpleasant smells and bad tastes due
to aerial oxidation of fats and oils. This phenomenon of slow aerial oxidation of fats and oils leading
to unpleasant smells and bad tastes in them is called ‘rancidity.’
Such fats and oils are said to be ‘rancid.’ The rancid fats and oils give an unpleasant smell and bad
taste; therefore, rancid foodstuffs should not be used as they become harmful to the
human body. Rancidity in foodstuffs is not desirable and must be checked.
Methods of Preventing Rancidity
The main cause of rancidity is the oxidation of fats and oils present in food.
To prevent rancidity, the oils/fats containing food must be prevented from
oxidation.
The various methods used for the prevention or retardation of rancidity are:
The Use of Antioxidants retards the oxidation of oil or fat present in food. These
are the substances that have a strong tendency to get oxidised. These themselves
get oxidised and prevent the oxidation of food materials. Common antioxidants are
BHA (Butylated hydroxy anisole) and BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene).
❖ Packing in Nitrogen: In some packed foodstuffs, such as potato chips, the

plastic bags are filled with unreactive gas nitrogen so that no air or oxygen is available to bring
about the oxidation of food and make it rancid.
❖ Keeping in Refrigerator: This is a common method used at our house. When the food is kept
in a refrigerator, the oxidation of fats and oils in the food is slowed down due to low
temperature, thereby reducing the rate of rancidity.
❖ Storing in Air-Tight Containers: When food is stored in air-tight containers, there is very little
exposure to oxygen, and so the oxidation of fats and oils in the food is slowed down, and
hence rancidity rate is retarded.
❖ Storing Foods Away from Light: When the food is stored away from light, the oxidation of fats
and oils in the food is, and hence rancidity rate is retarded.
❖ Vacuum Packing: In many cases, after packing the food, the container is evacuated before
sealing. This is done because no air or oxygen will be available to oxidise food to make it
rancid.
Page 18

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NOTES

CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND

01 CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS