CHEMICAL REACTIONS

are processes in which

substances change into
other substances
• Is the process by
which a
chemical change
takes place.
• A change where
a new substance
is formed.
 Chemical equations are the
symbolic representation of
chemical reactions.
In symbols, chemical equations is written as:
reactants → products
Coefficient is a number before the symbol or
formula of a substance while subscript is the
number of atoms of the element found in the
substance
 The chemical reactions has two
major parts, these are:

1. Reactants, and
2. Products
Reactants Products
The starting materials. The new substance/s
These are the substances The substance/s as result
that change when it is of the chemical reaction
combined with another
substance in a chemical
reaction
 Other symbols and its meaning
used in chemical equations are as
Symbo Meaning
follows:
l
+ Used to separate one reactant or product from one
another.Can be read as “reacts with” when used in reactant,
read as “and” when it is used in product.
→ Used to separate the reactants from the products read as
"yields" or "produces" in an equation.
(s) ↓ Indicates that the substance is in the solid state.
(l) Indicates that the substance is in the liquid state.
(g) ↑ Indicates that the substance is in the gas state.
(aq) Indicates that the substance is dissolved in waterComes
from the term “aqueous”
Indicates that there is heat applied or needed to make the
reaction proceed.
 A chemical reaction takes place if one or more
of these occur:
• Color changes - Different combinations of molecules reflect light
differently. A color change indicates a change in molecules. 
• Heat content changes - In all chemical reactions, the heat content
of the reactants and the heat content of the products is never the
same. Sometimes the difference is great and can be easily detected.
At other times, the difference is slight and more difficult to detect. 
• Gas produced - Whenever a gaseous product forms in a liquid
solution, bubbles can be seen. A colorless gas produced in a
reaction of solids is much harder to detect. 
• Precipitate forms - Precipitates are insoluble products formed by
a reaction taking place in a liquid solution. This insoluble product
will eventually settle to the bottom, but might immediately appear
by turning the clear solution cloudy.
 What is a Balanced Chemical Equations?

A balanced chemical equation has

equal numbers of atoms for each
element involved in the reaction are
represented on the reactant and product
sides. This is a requirement the
equation must satisfy to be consistent
with the Law of Conservation of
Matter.
 Steps in Balancing Chemical Equations:

1. Check for diatomic molecule. Diatomic

molecules composed of only two atoms, of
either the same or different chemical elements.
This includes H2, O2, N2, Cl2, Br2, F2 and I2.
2. Check whether the chemical formulas of all
the reactants and products are written
correctly. Check the total number of atoms of
each element on each side of the equation.
 Steps in Balancing Chemical Equations:

3. A polyatomic ion appearing unchanged on

both sides of the equation is counted as a
single unit.
4. Balance the elements one at a time by using
coefficients. Do not attempt to the balance the
equation by changing the subscripts in the
chemical formula of a substance.
5. Check each atom or polyatomic ion to be sure
that the equation is balanced.
 Four Basic Types of Chemical Reactions

Most chemical reactions can be placed into one of four

basic types: 
1. Decomposition Reactions
2. Synthesis Reactions
3. Single Displacement Reactions
• Combustion Reactions
4. Double Displacement Reactions
• Neutralization Reactions
• Precipitation Reactions
1. Decomposition Reactions
A compound breaks into parts. 
 compound → element + element 
2H2O → 2H2 + O2
Some decomposition complications with
heat:
Some acids, when heated, decompose
into an acidic oxide and H2O.
H2SO4 → SO3 + H2O
1. Decomposition Reactions
• Metallic hydroxides, when heated,
decompose into a metallic oxide and H2O.
Ca(OH)2 → CaO + H2O
• Metallic carbonates, when heated, decompose
into a metallic oxide and CO2.
Li2CO3 → Li2O + CO2
• Metallic chlorates, when heated, decompose
into metallic chlorides and O2.
2KClO3 → 2KCl + 3O2
2. Synthesis Reactions
• Elements are joined together. 
 element + element → compound 
 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O 
• Compounds are joined together 
 compound + compound → compound +
oxygen
  6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
3. Single Displacement Reactions
A single element replaces an element in a compound. 
element + compound → element + compound 
 Zn + 2HCl → H2 + ZnCl2

Combustion Reactions
A hydrocarbon (a compound containing only carbon and
hydrogen) combines with oxygen. 
The products of combustion are always carbon dioxide
and water. 
 hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water 
 CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O 
 
4. Double Displacement Reactions
An element from each of two compounds switch places. 
 compound + compound → compound + compound 
 H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O
Neutralization Reactions
Special types of double displacement reactions that involve
the reaction between an acid and base to form a salt and
water. 
acid + base → salt + water 
 Heat is usually given off in neutralization reactions. 
 A suspension of solid magnesium hydroxide in water is
widely used as an antacid to neutralize excess stomach acid: 
 Mg(OH)2 (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + 2H2O (l)
4. Double Displacement Reactions
Precipitation Reactions
Aqueous reactions that involve the formation of a precipitate
(solid). 
 soluble compound + soluble compound → insoluble
compound 
 2KI (aq) + Pb(NO3)2 (aq) → 2KNO3 (aq) + PbI2 (s)
The physical state symbol (aq) says the reaction is taking
place in a water solution. The physical state symbol (s) says
the lead (II) iodide is a solid - therefore insoluble in the
solution.
 Rules for Predicting Products of Chemical
Reactions

Here are a few important things to remember

when predicting products:
• The compounds form must be neutral ionic
compounds (which means pay attention to
their charges)
• Do NOT carry subscripts from the reactants to
the products.
• Always balance your equation LAST
 Predicting Products of Combustion Reactions

A hydrocarbon and oxygen (O2) indicate

combustion reaction.
If it is combustion, then just write H 2O and CO2
as products
Then, balance the equation (can be tricky)
Examples:
 Predicting Products of Displacement Reactions

• A metal will not always

replace a metal in a compound
dissolved in water because of
differing reactivities
• An activity series can be used
to predict if reactions will
occur
• To replace a metal, the other
metal must be MORE
REACTIVE
• Same applies for halogens
 Predicting Products of Single Displacement
Reactions
• To predict the products: Replace the single element
with the compoundcorresponding element in
 A metal will replace the cation in the compound
 A non-metal will replace the anion in the compound
• If the element is more reactive than the one it
attempts to replace, then the reaction will be
spontaneous and exothermic
• Otherwise, it will not be spontaneous and will be
endothermic (NO REACTION)
 Predicting Products of Double Displacement
Reactions
• If it is double replacement, then the cation and anions switch
places
• It is helpful to separate each compound into their cation and
anionic parts with their charges
• Then switch places, and criss cross the new compounds to
make sure they are the correct neutral compound formulas
 Predicting Products of Double Displacement
Reactions

• AB and CD are both ionic compounds

• Separate each compound & write their
charges
• Switch places and re-write new compounds

• Balance at the end

 Predicting Products of Double Displacement
Reactions
• Not all double replacement reactions will occur
• In order for a double replacement reaction to take
place:
 Both of the reactants must be soluble in water
If a compound contains at least one of the ions that is proven
soluble, then the compound will be at least moderately soluble
 One product must be soluble and one product must be
insoluble
The insoluble product is the precipitate that forms when the
reaction takes place
Usually a precipitate is a solid, but it doesn't have to be
Solubility Table
Predicting Products of Double Displacement
Reactions