UNIT 4: MATTER AND ITS INTERACTIONS

Module 2: Chemical Reactions

 When a physical change occurs there is no breaking and forming of bonds. There are certain things that will help
us identify if a chemical reaction has taken place. We call these evidences of chemical reactions.

1. Production of light
2. Evolution of gas
3. Temperature change
4. Change in intrinsic properties (color, odor)

 Reactants are substances that are used up to form new substances in a chemical reaction.
 Products are the stating materials used in a chemical reaction.

SYMBOLS USED IN CHEMICAL EQUATION

 A chemical equation is a chemist’s shorthand for a chemical reaction. The equation distinguishes between the
reactants, which are the starting materials and the products which are the resulting substance/s. It shows the
symbols or formulas of the reactants and products, the phases (solid, liquid, gas) of these substances, and the
ratio of the substances as they react.
  Law of Conservation of Mass states that mass is conserved in a chemical reaction. The total mass of the
reactants is equal to the total mass of the products. No new atoms are created or destroyed, there was only
grouping or regrouping (rearrangement) of atoms.

Steps in Balancing Equations:

Write the unbalanced chemical equation, make sure you have followed correctly the rules in writing formulas of
compounds.

 Take note of the elements present in the reactant and product side.
 Count the number of atom/s of each element present in the reactant and product side.
 Apply the Law of Conservation of Mass to get the same number of atoms of every element on each side of the
equation.
 Balance chemical equations by placing the appropriate coefficients before the symbol or formula.
 Do not change the subscripts of the formula in an attempt to balance the equation as it will change the identity
of the components.

COLLISION THEORY explains how collision between reactant molecules may or may not result in a successful chemical
reaction.

ACTIVATION ENERGY is needed to break the bond between reactant molecules to form new bonds leading to formation
of the products.

The rate of chemical reaction is affected by the following factors: temperature, surface area of reactants, presence of
catalyst, concentration of reactants.

Every factor that affects reaction rate can be understood relative to Collision theory.