IGCSE Chemistry

Reactions and their conditions

Simple cell
The more reactive metal (electrode) will become the
Negative Pole as it will more readily loose electrons, so
oxidation occurs.
Now, the electrode made up of the lower reactive metal is the
Positive pole . hydrogen will form always . 2H++2e- → H2

Fuel Cells:
At the Negative pole , hydrogen gets oxidized.
2H2(g)+4OH-(aq) → 4H2O(g) + 4e-
At the Positive pole, oxygen gets reduced.
O2(g) + H2O(g) + 4e- → 4OH-(aq)

Overall reaction:2H2(g) + O2 (g) → 2H2O(g)

Oxidizing agent:
Acidified Potassium Manganate turns colorless if reducing
agent is present
MnO4-(Purple) → Mn2+(Colorless)

Reducing agent:
Potassium iodide turns red-brown when added to acidified
oxidizing agent
2I-(Colorless)→ I2(Red-Brown)

Chapter 8-Acids and Alkalis

Metal + Acid → Metal Salt + Hydrogen
Hydroxide + Acid → Metal Salt + Water
Metal Oxide + Acid → Metal Salt + Water
Metal Carbonate + Acid → Metal Salt + Carbon Dioxide +
Water

Chapter 10

Reaction of Metals
Order of Metal Reaction Reaction
reactivity with Water with HCl
or Steam
Most Potassium Very violent Too
Reactive with cold dangerous to
water try
Sodium Violent with Too
cold water dangerous to
try
Calcium Less violent Very vigorous
with cold
water
Magnesium Very slow with Vigorous
cold water,
but vigorous
with steam
Zinc Quite slow Moderate
with steam
Iron Slow with Slow
steam
Least Copper No reaction No reaction
Reactive

Reaction of metal oxides

Order of Metal Reaction of metal
reactivity oxide on heating
with carbon
Most Reactive Potassium No reaction
Sodium No reaction
Calcium No reaction
Magnesium No reaction
Zinc Reduction to zinc
takes place, but
only at very high
temperature
Iron Reduction to iron
Least Reactive Copper Easy reduction to
copper

Thermal Decomposition
Compoun Effect of heat on the Effect of heat on the
ds sodium compounds copper compounds
Carbonate No reaction CuCO3(s)→CuO(s)
+CO2(g)
Hydroxide No reaction Cu(OH)2(s)→CuO(s)
+H2O(l)
Nitrate 2NaNO3(s)→2NaNO2(s) 2Cu(NO3)2(s)→2CuO(s)
+O2(g) +4NO2(g)+
O2(g)
Chapter 11-Air and Water

Test for water

CuSO4(s) + 5H2O → CuSO4.5H2O(s)
[Anhydrous copper sulfate to Hydrated copper sulfate from
white to blue
CoCl2(s)+6H2O(l) → CoCl2.6H2O(s)
[Anhydrous cobalt chloride to hydrated cobalt chloride from
blue to pink

Formation of carbon di oxide

Complete combustion of fuels
Respiration
Rxn between acid and carbonate
Thermal decomposition of carbonate

Removal of Carbon di oxide

Photosynthesis
Dissolving in oceans

Air Pollutants
Carbon monoxide
Sulfur di oxide
Oxides of nitrogen
Lead compounds

Green house gases

Water, ozone, nitrous oxide, CFC, carbon di oxide, methane
Sacrificial Protection
High reactive metals loses electrons and undergoes oxidation
instead of least reactive.

Haber’s Process

Nitrogen is obtained from the air and hydrogen is obtain from

the reaction between methane and steam

Factors Conditions
Pressure High(200 atmospheres)
Temperature Moderate(450 C)
Catalyst Iron
Remove product Reaction mixture is cooled to
remove ammonia as a liquid

Chapter 12-Sulfur

Contact Process:

S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g)

2SO2(g)+O2(g) → 2SO3(g)
SO3(g)+H2SO4(g) → H2S2O7(l)
H2S2O7+H2O → 2H2SO4(l)

Reaction conditions for 2SO2(g)+O2(g)=2SO3(g)

Condition Final Condition Chosen
Pressure Normal (Up to 10
atmospheres)
Temperature Moderate temperature(450 C)
Catalyst Vanadium Pentoxide(V2O5)

Position of equilibrium and rate for most economic yield

 High yield need low temperature, then rate would be too slow
or uneconomic.
 Presence of catalyst would increase rate [at same temp], does
not alter the yield [ at that temp]/ Economic rate at lower
temperature, therefore higher yield.
 High pressure increases rate/ yield but expensive

Chapter 13-Carbonates

Thermal Decomposition of Limestone

1.CaCO3 → CaO+CO2
Calcium carbonate needs to be heated
Endothermic Reaction
Chemical Change

2.CaO+H2O → Ca(OH)2
Exothermic Reaction
Physical Change
Hydration to form slaked lime

3.Ca(OH)2(s)→ Ca(OH)2(aq)
This happens after adding excess water to form limewater
Physical Change
Hydration

4.Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(s)+H2O(l)

Neutralisation
Chemical Change

Chapter 14-Organic Chemistry

1.Combustion rxn
CH4(g) +2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
Flames are required to ignite the fuel

2.Substitution reaction
Requires UV light

3.Cracking

a.C10H22 = C5H12+C3H6+C2H4
This reaction requires 540 C and a catalyst

b.C2H6=C2H4+H2
This reaction requires 800 C and a catalyst

4.Reaction with Alkene and Steam

C2H4+H2O=C2H5OH
The conditions are 570 C , 60-70 Atmospheres , and
Phosphoric acid as catalyst to produce alcohol

5.Reaction with Alkene and Hydrogen

C2H4+H2=C2H6

The conditions are 150C to 300C,and Nickel as catalyst to

produce alkane

6.Polymerisation reaction

The conditions are -50C , 3 or 4 atmospheres and a catalyst

7.Ethanol obtained by fermentation of glucose

C6H12O6(aq)=2C2H5OH(aq)+2CO2(g) + Energy

Conditions are 35 C and enzymes in yeast

Exothermic reaction

8.Ethanoic acid obtained by fermentation of ethanol.

C2H5OH +O2=CH3COOH

This process is called acid fermentation and ethanol is being

oxidized by bacteria
9.Ethanoic acid is obtained using oxidizing agent

Ethanol is oxidized by warming it with acidified potassium

manganate in the presence of an acid.

10.C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g)= 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l) + heat

( Combustion of Alcohol)

11.CH3COOH(aq) + C3H7OH(aq) = CH3COOC3H7(aq) + H2O(l)

The required conditions are a catalyst which is sulfuric acid

and heat