Examples of Chemical Reactions

General form of a reaction

A chemcial reaction turns some combination of stuff (the reactants) into a new
combination of stuff (the products). We show this using a word equation:
Reactant 1 + Reactant 2  Product 1 + Product 2.

Of course, there could be any number of products and reactants. Let’s look at some
specific reactions.
Combustion

This is when something reacts with oxygen. For combustion of organic fuels, the
products are typically water and a carbon product.

1. Methane + Oxygen  Carbon Dioxide + Water

2. Petroleum + Oxygen  Carbon Monoxide + Water
3. Wood + Oxygen  Carbon + Water.

With enough oxygen (complete combustion), the product is carbon dioxide. If there is
not much oxygen (incomplete combustion), carbon monoxide or carbon are formed.
Acid & Base

This is also called a neutralisation reaction – an acid reacts with a base to make a salt
and water:
1. Hydrochloric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide  Water + Sodium Chloride
2. Sulfuric Acid + Copper Hydroxide  Water + Copper Sulfate
3. Nitric Acid + Ammonia  Water + Ammonium Nitrate

Acid and Carbonate

Acids react with cabonates to make a salt, water, and carbon dioxide:
1. Sulfuric Acid + Calcium Carbonate  Water + Carbon Dioxide + Calcium Sulfate
2. Hydrochloric Acid + Copper Carbonate  Water + Carbon Dioxide + Copper
Chloride
Acid and Metal
In this case, hydrogen gas is given off, and a salt is formed:
1. Nitric Acid + Magnesium  Hydrogen Gas + Magnesium Nitrate
2. Hydrochloric acid + Calcium  Hydrogen Gas + Calcium Chloride

Metal and Oxygen

Metals Oxidise to produce metal oxides.
1. Silver + Oxygen  Silver Oxide

Metal and Water

Some metals react with water. The result is hydrogen and a metal hydroxide:
1. Sodium + Water  Hydrogen Gas + Sodium Hydroxide