SHARJAH INDIAN SCHOOL

CHAPTER 1 CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS

Chemical Reaction

A chemical reaction is a change in which one or more substance(s) or reactant (s) react to form
new substance(s) with entirely different properties.

Eg: Magnesium ribbon burns with a dazzling white flame and changes into white ash (MgO).

It is formed due to the reaction between magnesium and oxygen present in the air.

Characteristics of Chemical Reaction

 Change in colour
 Change in state
 Change in temperature
 Evolution of gas
 Formation of precipitate

Representation of a Chemical Reaction

1. Word Equation

Eg. Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium oxide

2. Chemical Equation : is the shorthand representation of a chemical reaction using symbols

and formulae of the reactants and products.

(a) Skeletal Equation (Unbalanced equation)

A chemical equation which has unequal number of atoms of each element in the reactants
and products is called skeletal equation.

Mg + O2 → MgO

(b) Balanced equation

A chemical equation which has equal number of atoms of each element in the reactants and
products is called balanced equation.

2Mg + O2 →2MgO
Q. Why should chemical equations be balanced?

Chemical equations are to be balanced to obey the law of conservation of mass, which states
that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

i.e, the total mass of the elements present in the products of a chemical reaction has to be equal
to the total mass of the elements in the reactants.

Different ways to make equation more informative

1.By writing the physical states of substances

 Solid state is represented by (s)

 Liquid state is represented by ( l)
 Gaseous state is represented by (g)
 Aqueous state by (aq)

2. A gas produced in a reaction can be indicated by an arrow pointing upward direction ( ↑ ) and
a precipitate is indicated by an arrow pointing downwards (↓).

3.By writing the conditions of the reactions (e.g- heat, pressure , temperature, electricity,catalyst)
above or below the arrow in the equation.

4.By writing heat changes.

Exothermic reaction (heat energy released) → + heat to the products

Endothermic reaction ( heat energy absorbed) → - heat to the products

Exothermic and Endothermic reactions

Reactions in which heat is released along with the formation of products are called exothermic
reactions.

e.g Action of water on quick lime, Respiration etc (Refer pgs 6 & 7)

Reactions in which energy is absorbed are known as endothermic reactions.

e.g Refer examples of decomposition reactions