Chemistry: Key Skills

Chemical Reaction Types

A n y r e a ct io n in EXAMPLE which two or more A + B AB substances combine to form a single product is 2Na(s) + Cl2(g) 2NaCl(s) a combination reaction. Decomposition is t h e r e v e r s e o f EXAMPLE combination. That is, a single reactant is broken AB A + B down into two or more products either elements 2HgO(s) 2Hg(l) + O2(g) or compounds.

Combination

Decomposition

A reaction between EXAMPLE an a c i d i c Acid + Base Salt + Water compound and a basic compound to form a HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) ionic salt and water. Combustion reactions generally EXAMPLE apply when an organic compound is burned in Organic + O2 CO2 + H2O air - reacting with the oxygen - producing CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) carbon dioxide and water. A displacement reaction involves EXAMPLE an element A + BC AB + C reacting with a compound displacing another element from the Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) ZnCl2(s) compound. A double displacement reaction involves two compounds reacting by swapping ions so that each ion has a new partner.

Neutralisation

Combustion

Single Displacement

+ H2(g)

Double Displacement

EXAMPLE

AB + CD AC + BD AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) ! ! ! ! AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)

Chemical Equations
Rules for writing chemical equations
The law of conservation of mass states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, so a chemical equation must have the same amounts of each particle on each side of the equation. States of matter (solid, liquid, gas and aqueous) must be included for every reactant and product. Numbers in subscript after an element or ion are a part of the molecule or compound and cannot be changed. Coefcients placed in front of a molecule apply to the whole molecule and must be used to indicate a balanced ratio of reactants and products. A balanced equation must show the coefcients used in the simplest possible whole number ratio.

Same amounts of reactants and products.

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

States of matter shown for each chemical.

B a l a n c i n g chemical equations

Think of the elements and ions in an equation as units. Polyatomic ions that remain unchanged on both sides of the equation can be counted as a single unit. Start with an element or ion that is in only one chemical on both sides of the equation. Work with one element or ion at a time going back and forth between reactants and products (or vice versa). Once you have balanced an element or ion both sides, balance any other(s) in the same compound or molecule. Keep a tally for each units amount on both sides can make life easier when balancing more complex chemical equations. Save balancing any single elements, water molecules, or molecules with only one element for last.

Chemical Equations
The following two methods are for equations that are too difcult to balance on inspection. The odd one out method is best used to balance composition, decomposition and to a lesser extent, neutralisation reactions. The half and half method is better suited to ionic equations, in particular double displacement reactions.

The Odd one out Method

Step 1.! ! ! Step 2. ! ! ! Step 3. ! Step 4. !

Identify the largest reactant or product with an odd number (except 1) of an unbalanced element (it is the odd one out) or ion and give it a coefcient of 2. Add coefcients to the !chemicals on the opposite side of the equation to be in balance with the !odd one out. Balance any remaining unbalanced reactants or products. If needed, alter the coefcients to be in the simplest whole number ratio.

Give the odd one out a coefcient of 2 Balance as necessary Write coefcients in simplest whole number ratio.

Ca(OH)2(aq) + H3PO4(aq) 2Ca3(PO4)2(aq) + H2O(aq) 6Ca(OH)2(aq) + 4H3PO4(aq) 2Ca3(PO4)2(aq) + 12H2O(aq) 3Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2H3PO4(aq) Ca3(PO4)2(aq) + 6H2O(aq)

The Half and half Method

Step 1.! ! ! Step 2. ! ! ! Step 3. ! Step 4. ! ! ! Step 4.! Pick one of the products of the equation and identify the ions that form it from !chemicals on the reactants side. Write a half equation using the product you selected and the ions from the reactants side including the correct amounts of each. Balance the half equation by adding coefcients to the ions and product. Transfer the balanced coefcients !from the half equation to the respective chemicals in the full equation. Write a second half equation for the other product and repeat the steps.

Pick a product Write a balanced half equation Balance the overall equation.

Al2(SO4)3(aq) + NaOH(aq) Al(OH)3(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) 2Al2(aq) + 6OH(aq) 2Al(OH)3(aq) 2Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 6NaOH(aq) 2Al(OH)3(aq) + 3Na2SO4(aq)