Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 .

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5: ENERGY AND CHEMICAL CHANGES

5.1 Physical and Chemical Change

Differences Physical Change Chemical Change

Formation of new substance No Yes
Heat involved A little A lot
Reversible / Irreversible Reversible Irreversible
Change in mass No Yes
Change in chemical properties No Yes
• Melting, freezing, boiling • Rusting of iron
• Evaporation of sweat • Photosynthesis
Examples • Dissolving sugar in water • Burning of magnesium in air
• Crystallization • Heating mixture of iron and
• Sublimation of moth balls sulphur

5.2 Heat Change in Chemical Reaction

Differences Exothermic Reaction Endothermic Reaction

Heat Release heat Absorb heat
Temperature of surrounding Rise / increase Drop / decrease
Feel of beaker Hot Cold
Energy of reactant compared
More Less
to product

Energy level diagram

• Dissolving calcium oxide in • Dissolving ammonium chloride

water in water
Examples • Reaction between magnesium • Decomposition of calcium
and acid carbonate
• Neutralisation • Boiling, melting, heating

Heat changes in industrial chemical reactions:

• Haber Process – production of ammonia; exothermic reaction
• Contact Process – production of sulphuric acid; exothermic reaction

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

5.3 Reactivity Series of Metals

Reactivity Series of Metals Words to describe

Potassium Pop reactivity

Sodium Star
Very vigorous
Calcium Can
Magnesium Make Vigorous
Aluminium All Reactivity Burns actively
Zinc Zombies
decreases
Glows brightly
Iron In
Tin Town Glows dimly
Lead Lose
No reaction
Copper Control

1. Reactivity of metals with water

Metal + Water Metal hydroxide (Alkali) + Hydrogen

a) Equation:
b) Example:
Calcium + Water Calcium hydroxide + Hydrogen
Magnesium + Water Magnesium hydroxide + Hydrogen
c) Test for alkaline solution:
i) Litmus paper: Red litmus paper turns blue
ii) Phenolphthalein indicator: Colourless solution turns pink
d) Test for hydrogen gas:
The gas is tested using burning wooden splinter and a ‘pop’ sound is heard.
e) Potassium & Sodium – float on water
Other metals – sink in water

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

2. Reactivity of metals with acid

Metal + Acid Salt (Neutral) + Hydrogen

a) Equation:
b) Example:
Calcium + Dilute sulphuric acid Calcium sulphate + Hydrogen
Magnesium + Dilute sulphuric acid Magnesium sulphate + Hydrogen
Calcium + Dilute hydrochloric acid Calcium chloride + Hydrogen
Magnesium + Dilute hydrochloric acid Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen
*no reaction with dilute nitric acid

3. Reactivity of metals with oxygen

Metal + Oxygen Metal oxide

a) Equation:
b) Example:
Calcium + Oxygen Calcium oxide
Magnesium + Oxygen Magnesium oxide
c) Reactive metals like potassium and sodium are stored in paraffin oil – to avoid the metals from
reacting with oxygen in the air
d) Colour of metal oxides:
i) Most of the metal oxide (calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide): white
ii) Zinc oxide: yellow when hot; white when cold
iii) Iron oxide: brown
iv) Lead oxide: yellow
v) Copper oxide: black

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

e) Function of potassium manganate (VII): To supply oxygen gas

f) Function of glass wool at the mouth of boiling tube: To delay / prevent oxygen gas from escaping
g) Function of glass wool inside boiling tube: To prevent the metal powder from mixing with the
potassium manganate

4. Position of carbon in the reactivity series of metals

*Carbon is placed in the reactivity series of metals due to its tendency to combine with oxygen.
a) In between aluminium and zinc
b) Carbon cannot displace aluminium from aluminium oxide, but can displace zinc from zinc oxide.
c) Equation:

Carbon + Aluminium oxide (no reaction)

Carbon + Zinc oxide Zinc + Carbon dioxide

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

5.4 Application of the Reactivity Series of Metals

1. Extraction of metal from its ore is based on its reactivity compare to carbon:

Reactivity Series of Metals

Potassium
Sodium
Calcium Extracted from their ores by electrolysis

Magnesium
Aluminium
Carbon
Zinc
Iron
Tin Extracted from their ores by heating with carbon
Lead
Copper

2. Extraction of Tin / Iron from its Ore

Tin oxide / Iron oxide + Coke +
Limestone

Carbon dioxide /
Waste gas

Hot air Hot air

Molten tin /
Slag
Molten iron

a) Tin ore: Tin oxide (cassiterite) ; Iron ore: Iron oxide (haematite / magnetite)
b) Extraction of metal occurs in a blast furnace.
c) Raw materials: Tin oxide / Iron oxide, coke (carbon) and limestone.
d) Equation:

Tin oxide + Carbon Tin + Carbon dioxide

Iron oxide + Carbon Iron + Carbon dioxide

e) Function of coke: Reduces (converts) the tin oxide / iron oxide into tin / iron and carbon dioxide.
f) Function of limestone: To remove impurities. (Combine with impurities to form slag)

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

5.5 Electrolysis
1. Electrolysis – process of using electrical energy to decompose a molten or an aqueous solution of an
ionic compound
d into their elements.

Ammeter: Rheostat:
Rheostat
Measure the electric Controls the flow of
current electric current

Anode: Cathode:
Carbon electrode connected Carbon electrode connected
to the positive terminal. to the negative terminal.

Anion: Cation:
Negatively charged ion which Positively charged ion which
is attracted to the anode. is attracted to the cathode.

Electrolyte:
Electrolyte
Molten compound or aqueous solution that conducts electric
(ionic compound).
current. It can be acid, alkali and salt solution (ionic compound

2. Energy change in electrolysis:

Electrical energy Chemical energy

3. Example of electrolysis:
a) Electrolysis of molten lead (II) bromide

Molten lead (II) bromide

Anode Cathode
Electrolyte
Observation Product Observation Product
A brown gas is Grey solid (metal)
No changes. Bromine gas. Lead.
released. is deposited.

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

b) Electrolysis of strong (concentrated) copper chloride solution

Strong (concentrated)
copper chloride solution

Anode Cathode
Electrolyte
Observation Product Observation Product
Blue colour solution
Greenish gas is Brown metal is
becomes colourless / Chlorine gas. Copper.
released. deposited.
is decolourised.

4. Application of electrolysis in industry:

a) Extraction of metals (more reactive metals than carbon)
b) Electroplating
c) Purification of metals

5. Extraction of aluminium from its ore:

a) Aluminium ore: Aluminium oxide (Bauxite)

b) Function of cryolite: To lower the melting point of bauxite.
c) Anode: Oxygen gas is released.
d) Cathode: Aluminium is deposited.

6. Electroplating
a) Purpose of electroplating: To protect metal from corrosion; to make the metal become shiny and
more attractive
b) Anode: Metal
c) Cathode: Object
d) Electrolyte: Salt solution of the metal

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

e) Example: Electroplating of iron nail using copper metal

Observation:

Anode Cathode Electrolyte

Dissolves / Becomes thinner / Coated with a layer of brown
No changes.
Decrease in mass. solid.
f) Ways to obtain good electroplating result:
• Current must be very small.
• Cathode (object to be electroplated) must be rotated frequently.
• Electrolyte must be very weak (dilute).
• Object to be electroplated must be cleaned with sandpaper.

7. Purification of metals
a) Anode: Impure metal
b) Cathode: Pure metal
c) Electrolyte: Salt solution of metal
d) Example: Purification of copper metal

Impure copper Pure copper

Observation:

Anode Cathode Electrolyte

Dissolves / Coated with a layer of brown metal /
Becomes thinner / Becomes thicker / No changes.
Decrease in mass. Increase in mass.
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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

5.6 Production of Electrical Energy from Chemical Reactions

1. Simple cell produce electrical energy from chemical reaction.
2. Energy change:

Chemical energy Electrical energy

3. A simple cell consists of:

• two different metals
• electrolyte: acid, alkali, salt solution
4. Negative terminal: More reactive metal
Positive terminal: Less reactive metal
5. Example of simple cell:

dilute sulphuric acid

Observation:

Negative terminal Positive terminal Electrolyte

Dissolves /
Becomes thinner / Hydrogen gas is released. No changes.
Decrease in mass.

Copper sulphate solution

Observation:

Negative terminal Positive terminal Electrolyte

Coated with a layer of brown
Dissolves / Blue colour solution becomes
metal /
Becomes thinner / colourless /
Becomes thicker /
Decrease in mass. is decolourised.
Increase in mass.
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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

6. The further apart the metal pairs in the reactivity series, the higher the voltage in the simple cell is
produced.
Example:
Reactivity Series of
Pair of electrodes/metals Voltage (V)
Metals
Lead and copper 0.5 Potassium
Zinc and copper 1.0 Sodium
Magnesium and copper 2.5 Calcium
Calcium and copper Magnesium
Iron and copper Aluminium
Copper and copper Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
Copper

7. Other types of cells being used in daily life:

a) Primary cell – cannot be recharged (not rechargeable)
b) Secondary cell – can be recharged (rechargeable)

Type of cell Example Uses Advantage Disadvantage

• Light • Does not last long
Dry cell Torch, clock, toys • Easy to carry • Cannot be
recharged
• Light • Cannot be
Primary cell
Alkaline cell Torch, clock, radio • Easy to carry recharged
• Last longer
Silver-oxide cell / • Small • Cannot be
Watches, camera
Mercury cell • Last longer recharged
• Portable • Heavy
Lead-acid Vehicle, • Last longer • Expensive
Secondary accumulator temporary lighting • Supply high current • Acid can be easily
cell • Rechargeable spilled
Nickel-cadmium • Last longer • Expensive
Handphone, laptop
cell • Rechargeable

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

5.7 Chemical Reactions which Occur in Light

A. Photosynthesis
1. Photosynthesis – process by which green plants make food in sunlight.

light
Carbon dioxide + Water Glucose + Oxygen
chlorophyll

2. Carbon dioxide – absorbed from the atmosphere through stomata of the leaves.
3. Water – absorbed from the soil by the roots.
4. Chlorophyll – green pigment – absorb light energy.
5. Light energy – break water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
6. Hydrogen combines with carbon dioxide to form glucose.
7. Oxygen is released into the air.
8. Importance of photosynthesis:
• The only natural process that remove carbon dioxide from the air.
• The only natural process that replace oxygen in the air.
• Maintain the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the air.

B. Photosensitive Chemicals
1. Photosensitive chemicals – chemicals which react when exposed to light.
2. Example:
a) Photographic paper – covered with a layer of silver bromide which is sensitive to light.
b) When exposed to light, white photographic paper (silver bromide) turns grey (silver).

Silver bromide Silver + Bromine

c) Equation:
d) Sodium thiosulphate solution is used to wash away any silver bromide which has not reacted with
light.

e) Silver chloride and silver iodide are also photosensitive chemicals.

3. Stored / kept in light-tight containers or dark bottles – prevent decomposition by light.

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 5

4. Other photosensitive chemicals:

Photosensitive
Equation Uses
Chemical
As disinfectant for
Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide Oxygen + Water
cleaning ears.
To kill bacteria in
Chlorine water Chlorine water Oxygen + Hydrochloric acid
swimming pool.
As disinfectant and
Sodium hypochlorite Sodium hypochlorite Oxygen + Sodium chloride
bleaching agent.
Test for oxygen gas: The gas is tested using glowing wooden splinter and it will relights / rekindles.

oxygen

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