Chemical Reactions

1
Chemical Reactions
• A chemical reaction is a process in which one set of
substances, called reactants, is converted to a new
set of substances, called products.
• A chemical reaction is the process by which a
chemical change occurs.

• But how do we know a chemical reaction has

occurred?

2
Evidence of a Chemical Reaction
• a colour change
• formation of a solid (precipitate) within a clear solution
• evolution of a gas
• evolution or absorption of heat
• detailed chemical analysis

3
Reaction Conditions
• State Symbols: are usually written after the molecular
formula in brackets to indicate the state or phase of the
compound
• (s) – solid
• (l) – liquid
• (g) - gas
• (aq)- aqueous
• When a reaction requires heat, a catalyst, or some other
special condition to occur, it is indicated above or below the
reaction arrow.

4
Common Types of Reactions
1. Synthesis
2. Decomposition
3. Single displacement
4. Double displacement
5. Acid Base
6. Phase Change
7. Combustion
8. Redox

5
Synthesis Reactions
•  A new compound is formed from the reaction of
two or more simpler substances (the reactants or
starting materials).

6
Decomposition Reactions
•  A single substance is broken down into simpler
substances (for instance, into its elements).

7
Single Displacement Reactions
•  One component in a compound is replaced by
another, most often, an element.

8
Double Displacement Reactions

•  The components in two compounds are switched

9
Acid-Base Reactions
• Acids are compounds that produce H+ ions when dissolved
in water, and bases are compounds that produce (OH-)ions
when dissolved in water.
• This is the Arrhenius definition of an acid.

• Acid-base reactions are neutralization reactions in which an

acid reacts with a base to yield water plus an ionic
compound called a salt.
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq)  H2O(l) + NaCl(aq)

10
Some Common Acids and Bases

11
Combustion Reactions
•  Combustion, better known as burning, is the
combination of a substance with oxygen.
• The products are carbon dioxide, water, and
possible other waste products.
• Combustion reactions release large amounts of
heat.

12
Oxidation-Reduction (Redox)
• Oxidation is the loss of one or more electrons by a
substance. (OIL)
• Reduction is the gain of one or more electrons by a
substance. (RIG)
• Thus, an oxidation–reduction, or redox, reaction is any
process in which electrons are transferred from one
substance to another.

13
14
Oxidation States
• The oxidation state of an uncombined element is zero. 
• The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms or ions in a
neutral compound is zero.
• The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in an ion is
equal to the charge on the ion
• Hydrogen can be either +1 or -1 . When bonded to a metal,
such as Na or Ca, hydrogen has an oxidation number of -1.
When bonded to a nonmetal, such as C, N, O, or Cl,
hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1.

15
 Common Oxidation States
element usual oxidation state exceptions
Group 1 metals always +1  
Group 2 metals always +2  
except in peroxides and
Oxygen usually -2 F2O

except in metal
Hydrogen usually +1
hydrides where it is -1
Fluorine always -1  
except in compounds
Chlorine usually -1
with O or F (see below)

The more electronegative element in a substance is given a negative oxidation state.

The less electronegative one is given a positive oxidation state.
16
Half Equations
When magnesium reduces hot copper(II) oxide to copper,
the ionic equation for the reaction is:

• However the equation can be looked at in two parts:

• These two equations are referred to as ‘electron half

equations).
• Any redox reaction is made up of two half equations.
Creating Ionic Equations from
Half Equations
• Manganate(VII) ions, MnO4-, oxidise hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, to oxygen
gas. The reaction is done with potassium manganate(VII) solution and
hydrogen peroxide solution acidified with dilute sulphuric acid.
• During the reaction, the manganate(VII) ions are reduced to
manganese(II) ions.

you are allowed to add are:

• electrons
• water
• hydrogen ions (unless the reaction is being done under alkaline
conditions - in which case, you can add hydroxide ions instead)
 ¿−
+2 𝐻 +2 𝑒
+¿
•     

−
+¿¿  
+8 𝐻
 
+5 𝑒  

• Balancing electrons

• Eliminate any unnecessary ions

Balancing Redox Reactions
• Balance the atoms apart from oxygen and hydrogen
in half equations.
• Balance the oxygens by adding water molecules.
• Balance the hydrogens by adding hydrogen ions.
• Balance the charges by adding electrons.
• Combining the half-reactions to make the ionic
equation for the reaction