Chapter 1

CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS

Chemical Reactions
A chemical reaction occurs when one or more reactants (also known as reactants) are changed into one
or more products (also known as products). The constituent atoms of the reactants are rearranged in a
chemical reaction, resulting in the formation of various substances as products.

Physical and chemical changes

Chemical change – one or more new substances with new physical and chemical properties are formed.

Here, when copper sulphate reacts with iron, two new substances, i.e., ferrous sulphate and copper are
formed.

Physical change – change in color or state occurs but no new substance is formed.
Example: Water changes to steam on boiling but no new substance is formed (Even though steam and
water look different when they are made to react with a piece of Na, they react the same way and give
the exact same products). This involves only a change in state (liquid to vapour).

Observations that help determine a chemical reaction

A chemical reaction can be determined with the help of any of the following observations:
a) Evolution of a gas
b) Change in temperature
c) Formation of a precipitate
d) Change in colour
e) Change of state
Writing chemical equations
Representation of a chemical reaction in terms of symbols and chemical formulae of the reactants and
products is known as a chemical equation.
Ex: Zinc reacts with dilute Sulphuric acid to give zinc Suphate and hydrogen gas

• For solids, the symbol is “(s)”.

• For liquids, it is “(l)”.
• For gases, it is “(g)”.
• For aqueous solutions, it is “(aq)”.
• For gas produced in the reaction, it is represented by “(↑)”.
• For precipitate formed in the reaction, it is represented by “(↓)”.
Note: Sometimes the reaction conditions, such as temperature, pressure, catalyst, etc., for the
reaction are indicated above and/or below the arrow in the equation.
For example –

Balancing of a Chemical Reaction

Law of Conservation of mass

According to the law of conservation of mass, no atoms can be created or destroyed in a chemical
reaction, so the number of atoms for each element in the reactants side has to balance the number of
atoms that are present in the products side.
In other words, the total mass of the products formed in a chemical reaction is equal to the total mass of
the reactants participated in a chemical reaction.

Balanced chemical equation

The chemical equation in which the number of atoms of each element in the reactants side is equal to
that of the products side is called a balanced chemical equation.

Unbalanced chemical equation / Skeletal Chemical Equation

The chemical equation in which the number of atoms of each element in the reactants side is Not equal
to that of the products side is called a Unbalanced chemical equation or Skeletal Chemical equation.

Chemical reaction
Chemical reactions are chemical changes in which reactants transform into products by making or
breaking of bonds (or both) between different atoms to form new substances.
Types of chemical reactions
Chemical Reactions are grouped into multiple categories.
● Combination Reaction
● Decomposition Reaction
● Single Displacement Reaction
● Double displacement Reaction/ Precipitation Reaction
● Endothermic Reaction
● Exothermic Reaction

1) Combination Reaction: Two or more reactant combine to form a single product.

EX: 2 Mg (s) + O2 (g) → 2 MgO

(White Powder)

2) Decomposition Reaction: A single compound decomposes or break down to give two or more
simpler substances.
1. Thermal Decomposition Reaction: When one reactant breaks down to form two or more
products in the presence of heat.
Examples:

(Note: Ferrous sulpahte is in the form of FeSO4.7H2O(green) on heating it changes it colour

to white then it decomposes to Fe2O3 , SO2 AND SO3 )

Lead Nitrate Lead Oxide

(White) (Yellow) (Reddish brown
gas)

2. Electrolytic Decomposition Reaction: When one reactant breaks down to form two or more
products in the presence of electricity.
2H2O(l) electricity 2H2(g) + O2(g)

3. Photolytic Decomposition Reaction: When one reactant breaks down to form two or more
products in the presence of electricity.

2AgCl2(s) 2Ag(s) + Cl2(g)

(White) (grey)
3) Displacement Reaction: A more reactive element [metal] displaces less reactive element [metal]
from its aqueous salt solution.
EX: Zn (s) + FeSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + Fe (s)
Ferrous Zinc Sulphate
Sulphate
(green) (Colorless)
4) Double Displacement Reaction: Aqueous solution of two ionic compounds react by exchange of
their ions is called double displacement Reaction. Also Called Precipitation Reactions.

EX: BaCl2 (aq) + Na2SO4 (aq) → BaSO4 (s) + 2NaCl (aq)

Barium Sodium Barium Sodium
Chloride Sulphate Sulphate Chloride
(White
Precipiate)

Exothermic Reaction: If heat is evolved during a reaction, then such a reaction is known as
Exothermic reaction.
EX:
1)

2)

3) Digestion of food and Respiration

Endothermic reactions: If heat is absorbed from the surroundings, then such a reaction is
known as endothermic reaction.
EX:
OXIDATION AND REDUCTION
1. Oxidation: If a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen in a reaction, the substance is said
to be oxidised and the process is known as oxidation.
(Oxidation is the loss of electrons by a species (an atom, a molecule or an ion))

EX:

Copper Oxide
(black)
Oxidation reactions involve:
1. Addition of oxygen:
C + O2 → CO2 (oxidation of carbon)

2. Addition of electronegative element:

Fe + S → FeS (oxidation of Iron)
Ferrous sulfide
(Black)
3. Removal of hydrogen:
H2S + Br2 → 2 HBr+ S (oxidation of sulphide)
Hydrogen
bromide
4. Removal of electropositive elements:
2 KI + H2O2 → I2 + 2 KOH (oxidation of iodide)
Hydrogen Potassium Hydroxide
Peroxide

2. Reduction: If a substance loses oxygen and gains hydrogen in a reaction, the substance is
said to be reduced and the process involved is known as reduction.
(Reduction is the gain of electrons by a species (an atom, a molecule or an ion))

EX:

Reduction reactions involve:

1. Addition of hydrogen:
 N2 + 3 H2 → 2NH3 (reduction of nitrogen)

2. Addition of electropositive element:

HgCl2 + Hg → Hg2Cl2 (Reduction of mercuric chloride)

Mercurous Chloride
(White)

3. Removal of oxygen

ZnO + C → Zn + CO (reduction of zinc oxide)

4. Removal of electronegative element

2FeCl3 + H2 → 2FeCl2 + 2HCl (reduction of ferric chloride)

Ferric Ferrous
Chloride Chloride
(Yellow) (Pale green)

Corrosion
Gradual deterioration of a material, usually a metal, by the action of moisture, air or chemicals
in the surrounding environment.
Rusting:
4Fe(s) + 3O2+ xH2O→ 2Fe2O3.xH2O
(reddish browm)
Corrosion of copper:
Cu(s) + H2O + CO2 → CuCO3.Cu(OH)2
Copper Carbonate Hydroxide
(green)(Malachite)
Corrosion of silver:
Ag(s) + H2S → Ag2S+ H2(g)
(black)

Rancidity
It refers to the oxidation of fats and oils in food that is kept for a long time. It gives foul smell
and bad taste to food. Rancid food causes stomach infection on consumption.
Prevention:
(i) Use of air-tight containers
(ii) Packaging with nitrogen
(iii) Refrigeration
(iv) Addition of antioxidants or preservatives