CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS

Introduction
Chemical Equations
• Writing a Chemical Equation • Balanced Chemical Equations
Types of Chemical Reactions
• Combination Reaction • Decomposition Reaction • Displacement Reaction
• Double Displacement Reaction • Oxidation and Reduction
Effects of Oxidation Reactions in Everyday Life
• Corrosion • Rancidity

Introduction
→ Milk is left at room temperature during summers → An iron tawa/pan/nail is left exposed to humid atmosphere
→ Grapes are fermented → Food is cooked → Food gets digested in our body → We respire
Change in the nature and identity of the initial substance
Chemical change  Chemical reaction

Magnesium burns in air with blinding white light to form magnesium oxide (Highly exothermic)

Lead nitrate reacts with potassium iodide to form a bright yellow precipitate of lead iodide
Lead nitrate + Potassium iodide → Potassium nitrate + Lead iodide
(Reactants) (Products)

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Zinc reacts with sulphuric acid forming zinc sulfate dissolved in solution and releasing hydrogen gas

(Reactants) (Products)

Indicators of a chemical reaction

→ Change in the state (not necessarily an indicator of chemical change)
→ Change in color (not necessarily an indicator of chemical change, but
mostly yes)
→ Evolution of gas (an indicator of chemical change)
→ Change in temperature (an indicator of chemical change)
→ Formation of a precipitate
→ Formation of bubbles
→ Odor etc.

Chemical Equations
• Writing a Chemical Equation
(Activity 1.1)

• Balanced Chemical Equation

Pb(NO3 )2 + KI → KNO3 + PbI 2 (Activity 1.2)
(Activity 1.3)

Balancing a Chemical Equation -

Iron does not react with water at ordinary temperature. It reacts only with steam. When steam is passed over red-
hot iron, It forms ferroso-ferric oxide and liberates hydrogen gas.
Step 1: Draw boxes around each formula. Do not change anything inside the boxes.

Step 2: List the number of atoms of different elements present in the equation

Step 3: Select the compound that contains the maximum number of atoms (Fe 3 O4 ). In that compound, select the
element which has the maximum number of atoms (O). Balance this element.

Step 4: Pick H. Balance this element.

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Step 5: Select Fe which is yet to be balanced. Balance this element

Step 6: Check for correctness of the balanced equation by counting the number of atoms of each element in both
sides

This method of balancing a chemical equation is called the hit-and-trial method because we make trials to balance
the equation by using the smallest whole number coefficients.
Step 7: To make the chemical equation more informative, the physical states of the reactants and products are
mentioned in brackets in front of their formulae. We use aq = aqueous (a solution in water), s = solid, l = liquid,
g = gas.

Sometimes the reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, catalyst, etc are indicated above and/or below the
arrow.

Types of Chemical Reactions

• Combination Reaction

Many reactants combine to form a single product  Combination reaction

A solution of slaked lime produced by the above reaction is used for whitewashing walls. Calcium hydroxide reacts
slowly with the carbon dioxide in the air to form a thin layer of calcium carbonate on the walls. Calcium carbonate is
formed after two to three days of whitewashing and gives a shiny finish to the walls.

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

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Vegetable matter → Compost

• Decomposition Reaction

The green color of ferrous sulfate crystals changes to white (anhydrous ferrous sulfate) and we can smell the
characteristic odor of burning sulfur.

(Thermal decomposition)
Ferrous sulfate crystals (FeSO4 7H2 O) lose water when heated and the color of the crystals changes. It then
decomposes into the products.

(Industrially important reaction) (Thermal decomposition)

Calcium oxide (lime or quick lime) is used in the manufacture of cement.
A single reactant breaks down to give simpler products  Decomposition reaction
Decomposition reactions require energy in the form of heat, electricity or light.

Brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) are observed and a yellow precipitate of lead oxide is formed

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2H2 O (l) → 2H2 (g) + O2 (g) [Electrolytic decomposition]

White silver chloride turns grey in sunlight due to decomposition of silver chloride (Photolytic
into silver and chlorine by light decomposition)
Used in black and white
photography
Reactions in which energy is absorbed are called endothermic reactions.
• Displacement Reaction

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The iron nail turns brownish in color and the blue solution of copper sulfate fades
In this reaction, iron has displaced copper from the
copper sulfate solution. Such a reaction is called a
displacement reaction.
Other examples of displacement reactions:
Zinc and lead displace copper from its compounds
because they are more reactive than copper

• Double Displacement Reaction

A white precipitate of barium sulfate is immediately formed. Such a reaction is called a precipitation reaction.

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Reactions in which there is an exchange of ions between the reactants are called double displacement reactions.
Activity 1.2 is also an example of double displacement reaction
• Oxidation and Reduction

The surface of copper powder becomes coated with black copper (II) oxide. This is because oxygen reacts with copper
and forms copper oxide.

If we pass hydrogen gas over this heated material (CuO), the black coating on the surface turns brown because the
reverse reaction occurs forming copper.

Copper (II) oxide is losing oxygen and is being reduced

Hydrogen is gaining oxygen and is being oxidized

If a substance gains oxygen during a reaction, it is said to be oxidized. If it loses oxygen, it is said to be reduced.
Such reactions are called oxidation-reduction reactions or redox reactions.
Other redox reactions:
(Carbon is oxidized to CO and ZnO is reduced to Zn)
(HCl is oxidized to Cl2 and MnO2 is reduced to MnCl2 )

Effects of Oxidation Reactions in Everyday Life

• Corrosion
Iron articles are shiny when new but get coated with a reddish-brown powder when left for some time. When a metal
is attacked by substances around it such as air, moisture, acids, etc it is said to corrode. This is called rusting or
corrosion. Examples: The black coating on silver (silver sulfide) and the green layer on copper (copper carbonate and
copper hydroxide).
Corrosion damages car bodies, bridges, iron railings and all objects made of metals. Corrosion of iron is a serious
problem. An enormous amount of money is spent every year to replace damaged iron.
• Rancidity (Rancid = Spoiled, Bad)

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When fats and oils are oxidized, they become rancid and their smell and taste change. This is called rancidity. Usually,
substances that prevent oxidation (antioxidants) are added to food containing fats and oils. The common antioxidant
additives are ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and ascorbates. Antioxidants are commonly added to oils, cheese, and chips.
Rancidity can be prevented by keeping food in airtight containers to slow down oxidation. Bags of chips and other
items are usually flushed with nitrogen to prevent oxidation.

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