Special Health Sciences High School

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Experiment No. 3
Classes of Chemical Reactions
Kristine Caye Datario, Trisha Escultos , John Darren Niedo , John Patrick Nueva ,Abigail Cristine Velasco

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ABSTRACT

Chemical reaction is a process in which one or more substances (reactants) are converted to one or more
different substances (products). They occur when chemical bonds between atoms are formed or broken down.
When a chemical reaction occurs, at least one of the following is usually observed: evolution of gas;
precipitation; absorption of thermal energy, light, and/or other energy forms; and/or color changes. In this
experiment, the objectives were to demonstrate the four classes of chemical reactions, observe some of the
evidences of chemical reactions, and write the chemical equations that can be used to represent chemical
reactions. Students wore PPE and were asked to prepare distilled water, red and blue litmus papers, magnesium
ribbon, calcium oxide (CaO), mossy zinc, 3% hydrogen peroxide, rust-free iron nail, 1 M ferric chloride, 3 M
hydrochloric acid, 0.1 M cupric sulfate, 0.1 , silver nitrate, 0.1 M sodium chromate, 0.1 M barium chloride, and
0.1 M lithium carbonate. For the combination reactions: (a) A piece of magnesium ribbon was ignited using a
Bunsen burner which produced a bright light and white powder. Then it was placed in a test tube together with
drops of water and blue and red litmus paper. Few minutes later the red litmus paper turned into blue color. (b)
a pinch of carbon oxide was placed in a test tube together with drops of water and red and blue litmus papers. A
white precipitate formed and the red litmus paper turned into blue color once again. For decomposition
reactions: (a) 20 drops of hydrogen peroxide was placed in a test tube with a drop of ferric chloride. Bubbles
formed and the color turned into yellow few minutes later. For Single-replacement reactions: (a) 20 drops of
copper(II) sulfate was placed on a test tube with a piece of iron nail, few minutes later the nail became rusty. (b)
20 drops of hydrochloric acid was placed in a test with a piece of mossy zinc. The solution formed bubbles.
Lastly, for the double-displacement reactions: (a) 10 drops of silver nitrate was placed on a test tube with 10
drops of sodium chromate, which turned black in color soon after. (b) 10 drops of barium chloride and 10 drops
of lithium carbonate were placed on a test tube which resulted to suspended white precipitates. In conclusion,
all of the reactions were classified as chemical reactions due to color change, formation of precipitate, etc. A
balance equation determines the amount of matter within the product in comparison to the reactants. The types
of reaction resulted to single displacement, synthesis, decomposition, and double displacement.
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Introduction
Chemical reaction, a procedure in which at least one substance, the reactants, are changed over to at least one
unique substance, the products. Substances are either chemical elements or compound. A chemical reaction
modifies the constituent atoms of the reactants to make diverse substances as products. When a chemical
reaction occurs, at least one of the following characteristics is being observed: color changes, energy forms,
light, absorption or evolution of thermal energy, precipitation and evolution of gas.
Chemical reactions can be spoken to by chemical equations which utilize symbols or formulae to speak to
reactants and products that are isolated by a reaction furrow. A chemical equation can likewise be utilized to
uncover the four examples of chemical reactivity.
Synthesis
In a synthesis reaction, two or more simple substances combine to form a more complex substance.
These reactions are in the general form:

Two or more reactants yielding one product is another way to identify a synthesis reaction. One example of a
synthesis reaction is the combination of iron and sulfur to form iron(II) sulfide:

Decomposition
A decomposition reaction is when a more complex substance breaks down into its more simple parts.
It is thus the opposite of a synthesis reaction, and can be written as

One example of a decomposition reaction is the electrolysis of water to make oxygen and hydrogen gas:

Single replacement
In a single replacement reaction, a single uncombined element replaces another in a compound; in other words,
one element trades places with another element in a compound.
These reactions come in the general form of:

One example of a single displacement reaction is

when magnesium replaces hydrogen in water to make magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas:

Double replacement
In a double replacement reaction, the anions and cations of two compounds switch places and form two entirely
different compounds.
These reactions are in the general form:

For example, when barium chloride (BaCl2) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) react, the SO42− anion switches
places with the 2Cl− anion, giving the compounds BaSO4 and MgCl2.

The students are tasked to understand what is a chemical reaction is, to demonstrate the 4 classes of chemical
reactions by utilizing the lab apparatuses and chemicals, to observe some of the evidences of chemical reactions
done in the experiment, and write and balance chemical equations that can be used to represent chemical
reactions that is to be done in the worksheet of the students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experiment the students are not advised to bring anything but they are advisable to wear a PPE or
personal protective equipment and observe the instructions of the demonstrator. The instructors need to prepare
the following Reagents: distilled water, red and blue litmus papers, magnesium ribbon, calcium oxide (CaO ¿,
mossy zinc, 3% hydrogen peroxide, rust-free iron nail, 1 M ferric chloride, 3 M hydrochloric acid, 0.1 M cupric
sulfate, 0.1, silver nitrate, 0.1 M sodium chromate, 0.1 M barium chloride, and 0.1 M lithium carbonate. There
are no instruments needed. The students need to borrow the following: one deflagrating spoon, eight test tubes
(13 x 100mm), one distilled water (in wash bottle), Bunsen burner, test tube rack, and a crucible tong. The first
procedure is the combination reactions. For Magnesium and Oxygen, hold a small piece of Mg ribbon with a
pair of crucible tongs. Ignite it using a Bunsen burner and record the observations. While observing, drop the
product into a test tube, add twenty drops of water, and shake the contents well. Drop small pieces of blue and
red litmus papers into the test tube. Record the observations. The next for the combination reactions is Calcium
oxide and Water, place a pinch of CaO in a test tube, add twenty drops of water and shake the contents well.
Drop small pieces of blue and red litmus papers into the test tube. Note the observations. For the next reaction is
the Decomposition Reactions. The experiment for this reaction is the Hydrogen Peroxide, place twenty drops of
3% of H 2 O 2 into a test tube. Add one drop of one M Fe Cl3 then record the observations. For the next
combination is the Single-Replacement Reactions, for this the first experiment is the Iron Nail and Copper (II)
sulfate. Place twenty drops of 0.1 MCu SO4 into a test tube and add some piece of iron nail. Record the
observation. For the Mossy Zinc and Hydrochloric Acid, place 20 drops of 3 M HCI into a test tube and add one
piece of mossy zinc. Observe and record the observations. For the last reaction which is the Double-
Displacement Reactions, the first experiment is the Silver nitrate and Sodium Chromate, place ten drops of 0.1
M Ag NO 3 into a test tube and add ten drops of 0.1 M Na 2 Cr O 4. Record your observations. The next is Barium
chloride and Lithium carbonate, place 10 drops of 0.1 M Li 2 CO 3record the observations.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Combination Reaction

Chemical Reactions Observations Balanced Chemical Reactions

Magnesium & oxygen (a) Bright, white light was

produced and it formed 2 Mg+O 2 2 MgO
powder
Litmus paper (red) turned into
Magnesium & oxygen (b) blue MgO+ H 2 O Mg (OH )2

White, cloudy solution

Calcium oxide & water formed; red litmus paper LaO + H 2 O Ca(OH )2
became blue

As seen on the table above, this table shows the activity of combustion reaction. Combustion reaction occurs
when 2 or more elements or compounds combine and forms a single compound. The first chemical reaction is
with the burning of magnesium ribbon. Magnesium reacts with oxygen to produce a compound called
Magnesium oxide, the bright light results this reaction that produces a lot of heat. The next chemical reactions
which is the magnesium with red litmus paper and calcium oxide with water made the same results with regards
to the color of the litmus paper. Both of the chemical’s PH are above 7 and this will cause the red litmus paper
to change to blue. The red litmus paper is unionized and changing it to blue shows that it is now ionized.

B. Decomposition Reaction

Chemical Reactions Observations Balanced Chemical Reactions

Hydrogen peroxide & ferric Bubbles formed the color 2 H 2 O2 2 H 2 O+O2

chloride became yellow after some Fe Cl3
time (catalyst)

In this experiment, decomposition reaction happens when one reactant breaks down into two or more products.
Hydrogen peroxide and ferric chloride shows the perfect example of this reaction because the rate of
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is slow. So, when a catalyst which is the ferric chloride was mixed into the
hydrogen peroxide it will make the decomposition rate faster. The reaction will have an increased pressure in
the test tube that will cause production of oxygen gas.

C. Single- Replacement Reactions

Chemical Reactions Observations Balanced Chemical Reactions

Iron nail & cupric sulfate Cu SO 4 changed in color (it

became lighter); the iron nail Fe+Cu SO4 Fe SO 4 +Cu
rusted
Mossy zinc & hydrochloric Bubbles formed Zn+ 2 HCl ZnCl 2+ H 2
acid

In this table, single-replacement reactions occur when one reactant is exchanged for one ion of a second
reactant. The iron nail and cupric sulfate is one good example of this because the iron is more reactive than the
copper. The iron will go into the solution while the cupric sulfate will be deposited on the nail causing the nail
to have a reddish-brown color. Another one is the reaction between the mossy zinc and hydrochloric acid which
produced zinc chloride and hydrogen gas that explains why the chemical is creating bubble and fizzing.

D. Double-Displacement Reactions

Chemical Reactions Observations Balanced Chemical Reactions

 Silver nitrate & sodium -Dark brown in color
chromate -Black precipitate were
suspended; some were
floating
Barium chloride & lithium -Suspended white precipitates
carbonate -2 layers were visible
2 Ag NO 3+ Na 2 Cr O 4
Ag2 Cr O4 +2 Na NO3
BaCl 2+ Li2 CO3
2 LiCl+ Ba CO3

The last table is about the double-replacement reaction which occurs when parts of two ionic compounds are
exchanged, making two new compounds. The silver nitrate and sodium chromate showed a metathesis meaning
a partner exchange reaction has occurred. Most silver salts are quite insoluble, the nitrate is an exception. Silver
sodium chromate precipitates from aqueous solution as a brick red precipitate. Another chemical reaction is
between barium chloride and lithium carbonate which also showed a cloudy white precipitation.

REFERENCES
1. Chemical Reaction. Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_reaction?
fbclid=IwAR037UNLWk8AkU1GLV8HlZ8O_OTD-HnrtGmxfq3cVGslsb98MZI2JzoyrtE
2. Calamlam, M., Pancho, E., Cueno, P. (2018). General Chemistry 1, Laboratory Experiments 2018
Edition..