Chemistry Test Notes

Displacement Reactions – A reaction where a more reactive element takes the

place of a less reactive element in a compound

Compounds – A substance which can be split up into simpler substances, since it

contains the atoms of two or more elements joined together

Elements – A simple substance, made up of only one type of atom

Thermite Reactions – Highly exothermic displacement beween aluminum and iron

oxide that produces molten iron

pH scale – A numerical scale from 1 to 14 showing how acidic or alkaline a

substance is. Acids have a pH below 7, neutral substances have a pH of 7 and
alkalis have a pH greater than 7

Acids – A substance that reacts with alkalis, turns litmus red and has the pH of less
than 7 is acidic

Alkalis – A substance that reacts with acids, turns litmus blue and has a pH of
more than 7 is alkaline

Bases – Any substance, soluble or insoluble, that neutralizes in acid forming a salt
and a water only

Incomplete Combustion – When a substance reacts only partially with oxygen

such as when carbon burns in air producing carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and
soot (unburnt carbon) .

Biodegradable – Capable of being decomposed (broken down) by organisms in soil

Physical Change – A change in which no new substances are formed (e.g. changes
of state)
Chemical Reaction – A change in which one or more new substances are formed

Oxidation – Reaction in which a substance gains oxygen

Exothermic Reaction – A change or reaction that transfers energy into the

surroundings making the temperature of the surroundings rise

Endothermic Reaction – A change or reaction that absorbs energy from the

surroundings making the temperature

Litmus – An indicator that is red in acids and blue in alkalis

The Reactivity Series – (Most Reactive to Least

Reactive)

Potassium – Most Reactive please

Sodium – 2ND Most Reactive stop

Calcium – 3RD Most Reactive calling

Magnesium- 4TH Most Reactive me

Aluminum – 5TH Most Reactive a

(Carbon) – 6TH Most Reactive careless

Zinc – 7TH Most Reactive zebra

Iron – 8TH Most Reactive instead

Tin- 9TH Most Reactive try

Lead – 5TH Least Reactive learning

(Hydrogen) – 4th Least Reactive how

Copper – 3rd Least Reactive copper

Silver – 2nd Least Reactive saves

Gold – Least Reactive gold

Learning Objective No.1 – Identify & Explain the Differences Between Physical Changes &
Chemical Reactions

- In a Physical Change, the visible form of the chemical changes shape and/or color,
whereas in a Chemical Change, the Chemical form of the atoms changes

Learning Objective No. 2 – Describe the reactions of metals with water, dilute acid & air

- Metal + Water =
- Metal + Dilute Acid =
- Metal + Air =

Learning Objective No. 3 - Explain How Metals are placed in the Reactivity Series

- Metals are placed in the reactivity series in the order of how reactive they are

Learning Objective No. 4 – Explain how physical barriers like paint/sacrificial protection can
prevent rusting

- Some Metals React with air resulting in oxidation, otherwise known as rusting, however
when paint or sacrificial protection the metal doesn’t come in contact with the air
therefore preventing any form of oxidation or rusting

Learning Objective No. 5 – Define Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions

- Endothermic Reactions –
- Exothermic Reactions –

Learning Objective No. 6 – Explain what happenes in a Displacement Reaction

- In a Displacement Reaction the more reactive

Define endothermic and exothermic reactions

Explain what happens in a displacement reaction

Predict whether a reaction will happen based on the reactivity of the
metals