Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions are occurring all around us. They occur naturally, or they
experiment within chemistry laboratories, or they are used in the manufacturing
and chemical industries. They occur when one or more substances (Reactants)
chemically convert to one or more other substances (Products). The physical and
chemical properties of the products are different from those of the reactants.
Chemical reactions are represented by chemical equations.

Some examples with their accompanying chemical equations

1.Rusting, where iron combines with oxygen in the presence of water to form a
red-colored oxide, is a naturally occurring process.

4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3

2. Tarnishing of copper pennies because of exposure to air 

4Cu + O2→ 2Cu2O

3. Combustion or burning process, where a fuel such as propane, a cooking 
gas, reacts with oxygen at high temperature to release heat and light 
energy 

C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O

(propane)

4. An Acid‐Base reaction, such as when vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda 
(sodium bicarbonate) combine to form a bubbling mixture of sodium 
acetate with the release of carbon dioxide gas 

NaHCO3 + CH3COOH → CH3COONa + H2O + CO2

(Sodium bicarbonate) + (acetic acid) (sodium acetate)

5. An Acid‐Metal reaction, which dissolves the metal to form a salt, such as 
when magnesium is dissolved in hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium 
chloride, a salt   Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2 
 

Evidence of Chemical Reaction

A rusted iron grill, a tarnished copper teapot, and the changed color of the Statue of Liberty due
to oxidation, are all evidences of chemical reactions taking place
  

Chemical reactions usually produce telltale signs that a

change has occurred.
The most common signs are –

1. Change in color – the Statue of Liberty has turned green from its original copper color due to
oxidation
2. Change in temperature – adding calcium chloride to water heats the solution due to the
formation of hydrochloric acid
3. Release of an odor – a rotting egg or burning wood both produce odor
4. Produce bubbles (formation of gas) – adding dry yeast to hydrogen peroxide solution produces
bubbling and fizzing due to formation of oxygen gas
5. Precipitate in a liquid (formation of a solid) – calcium chloride and sodium carbonate solutions
when mixed produce calcium carbonate, a precipitate (solid)

*telltale sign‐‐‐ an indication that something has happened 
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions 

Most chemical reactions involve the release of energy in the form of heat or light.
Such reactions are called Exothermic Reactions. Some reactions, however, involve
absorption of energy (heat) and these are called Endothermic Reactions.

Some examples –

1. Any combustion reaction such as lighting a candle or a firecracker is

exothermic
2. Dissolving a salt in water, such as ammonium chloride, potassium chloride
or ammonium nitrate, is endothermic
3. A Neutralization reaction between an acid and a base to form water and a
salt is exothermic
4. Formation of nitric oxide from the reaction between nitrogen and oxygen is
endothermic
5. Thermite or welding process to join iron pieces is exothermic

Oxidation and Reduction Reactions

Oxidation and reduction reactions are those in which there is a transfer of electrons
between the participating reactants and products. In an Oxidation reaction, a
substance loses electrons and forms positive ions. In a Reduction reaction, a
substance gains electrons and forms negative ions. The reduction is the reverse
process of oxidation. The degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound
is referred to as its Oxidation State or Number.
Oxidation is always accompanied by reduction because the electrons released by
one substance during oxidation must be captured by another substance during
reduction. The combined transfer of electrons is referred to as a Redox Reaction.

For example, heating iron and sulfur together causes each iron atom to lose two
electrons and become an Iron Ion, which is picked up by the sulfur atom to create a
Sulfide Ion. The sulfide ions and iron ions combine to form iron sulfide, a
compound.

Δ(heat)

Fe + S → FeS

(iron) (sulfur) (Iron sulfide)

Redox reactions often include the gain or loss of oxygen, such as when a metal
reacts with oxygen to form an Oxide. For example, magnesium metal combines
with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. Its reverse, in which magnesium oxide
reacts with carbon at very high temperature to form magnesium metal and carbon
monoxide, is a reduction reaction.

2Mg + O2 → 2MgO (oxidation reaction)

MgO + C → Mg + CO (reduction reaction)

In a reaction between lead oxide and ammonia gas, lead oxide is reduced to the
metal lead, while ammonia is oxidized to nitrogen gas.

3PbO + 2NH3 → N2+ 3H2O+ 3Pb

Other redox examples include rusting, combustion, photosynthesis, and

decomposition.
Combination and Decomposition Reactions

A Combination Reaction is one in which the reactants combine to form a product.

For example, carbon, when burned in the presence of oxygen, produces carbon
dioxide.

Δ (heat)

C + O2 → CO2

A Decomposition Reaction is one in which a reactant breaks down or Dissociates

to form two or more products. The hydrolysis of water is a common example.

2H2O → O2 + 2H2

Check Point
1. Heat or light is released in the form of energy in an _______ reaction.
2. A reaction between acid and base to form salt and water is called a _______
reaction.
3. A reaction in which a substance loses electrons is termed as _______
reaction.
4. A combination of oxidation and reduction reactions is called a _______
reaction.
5. A reaction in which a reactant breaks down to form two or more products is
called a ______ reaction.
* Questions on Chemical reactions!
1. Name the type of reaction:
a. Magnesium + oxygen → Magnesium oxide
..........................................................................
b. Copper carbonate → copper oxide + carbon dioxide
..........................................................................
c. Nitric acid + sodium hydroxide → sodium nitrate + water
..........................................................................
d. Methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
..........................................................................
e. Copper sulfate + zinc → zinc sulfate + copper
..........................................................................

2. Why is burning wood a chemical reaction?

..........................................................................

3. Hydrocarbons are fuels, which two elements do they contain?

..........................................................................

4. Explain what is meant by the term ‘conservation of mass’.

..........................................................................

5. List two disadvantages of burning fossil fuels.

..........................................................................

6.What are the two products of a neutralisation reaction between an acid and an
alkali.
..........................................................................
7. What is the difference between a thermal decomposition reaction and a
combustion
reaction?
..........................................................................

8. Name two common oxidation reactions