Chemical Reactions and Equations

Question 1: Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air?

Answer: Magnesium is very reactive metal. When stored it reacts with Oxygen to form a layer
magnesium oxide on its surface. This layer of magnesium oxide is quite stable and prevents
further reaction of magnesium with oxygen. The magnesium ribbon is cleaned by sand paper to
remove this layer so that the underlying metal can be exposed into air.
Question 2: Write the balanced equation for the following chemical reactions.

(i) Hydrogen + Chlorine ’ Hydrogen chloride

(ii) Barium chloride + Aluminium sulphate ’ Barium sulphate + Aluminium chloride

(ii) Sodium + Water ’ Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen

Answer:

H + Clye) 2HC
3BaCly, +AI, (SO,),) 3BaSO4., +2AICly.)

(iü) 2Na,, +2H,Oy2NaOH +He)

Question 3: Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the following reactions.
(i) Solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulphate in water react to give insoluble barium
sulphate and the solution of sodium chloride.
(i) Sodium hydroxide solution (in water) reacts with hydrochloric acid solution (in water) to
produce sodium chloride solution and water.
Answer:

BaCl,+ Na,SOa) BaSO4.) +2NaC)

NaOH p) +HC\) NaCe) +H,Ou

(i)

(ii)

Question 4: A solution of a substance Xis used for white washing.

(i) Name the substance X* and write its formula.
(ii) Write the reaction of the substance 'X' named in (i) above with water.
Answer: The substance 'X* is calcium oxide. Its chemical formula is CaO.
Calcium oxide reacts vigorously with water to form calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).
 Ca H,O,) ’ Ca(OH)xa
Calcium oxide Water Calcium hydroxide
(Quick lime) (Slaked lime)
Question 5: Why is the amount of gas collected in one of the test tubes in Activity 1.7 double of
the amount collected in the other? Name this gas.

Answer: Water (H20) contains two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Therefore, the amount
of hydrogen and oxygen produced during electrolysis of water is in a 2:1 ratio. During
electrolysis, since hydrogen goes to one test tube and oxygen goes to another, the amount of gas
collected in one of the test tubes is double of the amount collected in the other.

Question 6: Why does the colour of copper sulphate solution change when an iron nail is dipped
in it?

Answer: When an iron nail is placed in a copper sulphate solution, iron displaces copper from
copper sulphate solution forming iron sulphate, which is green in colour.

Fe,, + CuSO4) ’FeSO, + Cu,,

Iron Copper sulphate Iron sulphate Copper
(Blue colour) (Green colour)
Therefore, the blue colour of copper sulphate solution fades and green colour appears.
Question 7: Give an example of a double displacement reaction other than the one given in
Activity 1.10.Sodium carbonate reacts with calcium chloride to form calcium carbonate and
sodium chloride.

Answer:

Na,COMw9) CaCl) CaCOy) 2NaCl

Sodium Calcium Calcium Sodium
carbonate chloride carbonate chloride

In this reaction, sodium carbonate and calcium chloride exchange ions to form two new
compounds. Hence, it is a double displacement reaction.
Question 8: Identify the substances that are oxidised and the substances that are reduced in the
following reactions.

4Na,, +0 ’2Na,O,,
CuO,., +H) ’Cu,, + H,0,,
(i)
(ii)
Answer:
(i) Sodium (Na) is Oxidised as it gains oxygen and oxygen gets reduced.
(ii) Copper oxide (CuO) is reduced to copper (Cu) while hydrogen (H2)gets oxidised to water
(H20).
Question 9: Which of the statements about the reaction below are incorrect?

2PbO,, +C’2Pb,, + CO
(a) Lead is getting reduced. (b) Carbon dioxide is getting oxidised. (c) Carbon is getting
(d) Lead oxide is getting reduced.
oxidised.

(i) (a) and (b)

(ii) (a) and (c)

(ii) (a), (b) and (c)

(iv) all

Solutions:
(i) (a) and (b)

Question 10:

Fe,0, +2AI ’AI,0, +2Fe

The above reaction is an example of a

(a) combination reaction.

(b) double displacement reaction.

(c) decomposition reaction.
(d) displacement reaction

Solution:
(d) The given reaction is an example of a displacement reaction.

Question 11: What happens when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to iron filings? Tick the
correct answer.

(a) Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced.

(b) Chlorine gas and iron hydroxide are produced.

(c) No reaction takes place.

(d) Iron salt and water are produced.

Solution:
(a) Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced. The reaction is as follows:

Fe, +2HC ’FeClyt H, ‘

Question 12: What is a balanced chemical equation? Why should chemical equations be
balanced?

Answer: A reaction which has an equal number of atoms of all the elements on both sides of the
chemical equation is called a balanced chemical equation. The law of conservation of mass states
that mass can neither be created nor destroyed. Hence, in a chemical reaction, the total mass of
reactants should be equal to the total mass of the products. It means that the total number of atoms
of each element should be equal on both sides of a chemical equation. Hence, it is for this reason
that chemical equations should be balanced.
Question 13: Translate the following statements into chemical equations and then balance them.

(a) Hydrogen gas combines with nitrogen to form ammonia.

(b) Hydrogen sulphide gas burns in air to give water and sulphur dioxide.

(c) Barium chloride reacts with aluminium sulphate to give aluminium chloride and a precipitate
of barium sulphate.

(d) Potassium metal reacts with water to give potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Answer:

a) 3H)+Ng) ’2NHs)
(b)
2H,S, +304e) ’2H,0,+2S04e)

(c)
3BaCl +Al, (SO,),o2AICI+3BaSO.4)

(d) 2K +2H,0,’2KOH )+Hye)

Question 14: Balance the following chemical equations.

(a) HNO, +Ca(OH), Ca(NO,), +H,0

(b) NaOH +H,SO, ’Na,SO, +H,0

(c) NaCl+AgNO, AgCl+ NaNO,

(d) BaCl, +H,SO, >BaSO, + HCI

Solutions:

(a) 2HNO, +Ca(OH), Ca(NO,), +2H,0

(b) 2NaOH +H,SO, - ’Na,SO, +2H,0

o NaCl+AgNO, AgCl+NaNO,

(d) BaCl, +H,SO, ’ BaSO, + 2HCI

Question 15: Write the balanced chemical equations for the following reactions.

(a) Calcium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide ’ Calcium carbonate + Water

(b) Zinc+ Silver nitrate ’ Zinc nitrate + Silver

(c) Aluminium + Copper chloride ’ Aluminium chloride + Copper

(d) Barium chloride + Potassium sulphate ’ Barium sulphate + Potassium chloride

Answer:

(a) Ca(OH), +co, CaCO, + H,0

(b) Zn +2AgNO, ’Zn(NO,), +2 Ag

(c) 2Al +3CuCl, ’2AICI, +3Cu

(d) BaCl, + K,So, ’ BaSO, + 2KCI

Question 16: Write the balanced chemical equation for the following and identify the type of
reaction in each case.

(a)Potassium bromide (aq) + Barium iodide (aq) ’ Potassium iodide (ag) + Barium bromide(s)

(b) Zinc carbonate (s)’ Zinc oxide (s) + Carbon dioxide (g)

(c) Hydrogen (g) + Chlorine (g) ’ Hydrogen chloride (g)

(d) Magnesium (s) + Hydrochloric acid (aq) ’ Magnesium chloride (aq) + Hydrogen (g)
Answer:
(a) 2KB,e)t Balo) ’2KI,+ BaBry'Double displace ment reaction
(b) ZnCOx: ZnO,i,+COe). Decomposition reaction
i Hag)tClye)HCe'Combination reaction

(d) Mg,., +2HC) ’MgClxa)tar'Displace ment reaction

Question 17: What does one mean by exothermic and endothermic reactions? Give examples.
Answer: Chemical reactions that release energy in the form of heat, light, or sound are called
exothermic reactions.

Example: Mixture of sodium and chlorine to yield table salt

Na,, +;Cl) ’ NaCl,,, + 411 kJ of energy

In other words, combination reactions are exothermic.

Reactions that absorb energy or require energy in order to proceed are called endothermic
reactions.

For example: In the process of photosynthesis, plants use the energy from the sun to convert
carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen.
Sunl1ght
6CO) t 6H,O) ’C,HO4,) t604-)
Glucose

Question 18: Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction? Explain.

we eat.
Answer: Energy is required to support life. Energy in our body is obtained from the food as
During digestion, large molecules of food are broken down into simpler substances such of this
glucose. Glucose combines with oxygen in the cells and provides energy. The special name
combustion reaction is respiration. Since energy is released in the whole process, it is an
exothermic process.

+ 6H,0y Energy
C,H,O4m) 60g 6COe
Carbon dioxide Water
Glucose Oxygen
of combination reactions?
Question 19: Why are decomposition reactions called the opposite
Write equations for these reactions.
breaks down to form two or
Answer: Decomposition reactions are those in which a compound
more substances. These reactions require a source of energy to proceed. Thus, they are the exact
substances combine to give a new
opposite of combination reactions in which two or more
substance with the release of energy.
 AB+ Energy ’A+B
Decomposition reaction:
Electrolysis
2H,0 ’2H+Oxe)
Combination reaction: A+B ’AB+ Energy

2H +Oxe) ’2H,0, +Energy

Write one equation each for decomposition reactions where energy is supplied in the form of heat,
light or electricity.
(a) Thermal decomposition:

2 FeSO4 A Fe,0 4

Ferrous sulphate Ferric oxide Sulphur dioxide Sulphur trioxide

(b) Decomposition by light:

Light
2AgCh 2 Ag. t Cl)
Silver chloride Silver Chlorine

(c) Decomposition by electricity:

Elkctricity
2Al,Ou) 4Al,, +
304)
Aluminium oxide Aluminium Oxygen
Question 20: What is the difference between displacement and double displacement reactions?
Write equations for these reactions.

Answer: In adisplacement reaction, a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element from
a compound.
A+ BX ’AX+ B; where A is more reactive than
B

In a double displacement reaction, two atoms or a group of atoms switch places to form new
compounds.
AB+CDAD+CB

For example:

Displacement reaction:

CuSO +Zn,,’ZnSOMa) +Cuu

Double displacement reaction:

Na,SOa) + BaClyo) ’ BaSO,M., + 2 NaC,

Question 21: In the refining of silver, the recovery of silver from silver nitrate solution involved
displacement by copper metal. Write down the reaction involved.
Answer:

2AgNOxw) + Cu
Silver nitrate
Cu(NO,)) + 2 AB
Copper Copper nitrate Silver

Question 22: What do you mean by a precipitation reaction? Explain by giving examples.

Answer: Areaction in which an insoluble solid (called precipitate) is formed is called a

precipitation reaction.

For example:

Na,COya) CaCl ’ CaCO, 4+ 2 NaCl,

Sodium carbonate Calcium chloride Calcium carbonate Sodium chloride

In this reaction, calcium carbonate is obtained as a precipitate. Hence, it is a precipitation reaction.

Another example of precipitation reaction is:

Na,SO +
BaCl BaSO, 2 NaCl
Sodium sulphate Barium chloride Barium sulphate Sodium chloride

In this reaction, barium sulphate is obtained as a precipitate.

Question 23: Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each.
(a) Oxidation

(b) Reduction

(a) Oxidation is the gain of oxygen.

Answer:

For example:
 Co, + H, ’ C0+H,0
(i) Addition of oxgyen - oxidation

2Cu +O, >2CuO

(ii) Gain of oxgyen - oxidation

In equation (i), H2 is oxidized to H20 and in equation (ii), Cu is oxidised to CuO.

(b) Reduction is the loss of oxygen.

For example:

CO, + H, ’C0+ H,0

() Removal of oxgyen - reduction

CuO + H, A Cu + H,0
Loss of oxgyen reduction
(iü

In equation (i), CO2 is reduced to CO and in equation (ii), CuO is reduced to Cu.

Question 24: A shiny brown-coloured element X' on heating in air becomes black in colour.
Name the element X' and the black coloured compound formed.

Answer: Xis copper (Cu) and the black-coloured compound formed is copper oxide (Cuo). The
equation of the reaction involved on heating copper is given below.
Hcat
2Cu +
0, 2CuO
(Shiny brown in colour) (Black in colour)

Question 25: Why do we apply paint on iron articles?

Answer: Iron articles are painted because it prevents them from rusting. When painted, the
contact of iron articles from moisture and air is cut off. Hence, rusting is prevented their presence
is essential for rusting to take place.
Question 26: Oil and fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen. Why?

Answer: Nitrogen is an inert gas and does not easily react with these substances. On the other
hand, oxygen reacts with food substances and makes them rancid. Thus, bags used in packing
food items are flushed with nitrogen gas to remove oxygen inside the pack. When oxygen is not
present inside the pack, rancidity of oil and fat containing food items is avoided.
Question 27: Explain the following terms with one example each.

(a) Corrosion

(b) Rancidity
(a) Corrosion:

Answer: Corrosion is defined as a process where materials, usually metals, deteriorate as a result
of a chemical reaction with air, moisture, chemicals, etc.

For example, iron, in the presence of moisture, reacts with oxygen to form hydrated iron oxide.
4 Fe + 30, + nH,0 ’ 2Fe,0, nH,0
Hydrated iron oxide

This hydrated iron oxide is rust.

(b) Rancidity:

The process of oxidation of fats and oils that can be easily noticed by the change in taste and smell
is known as rancidity.

For example, the taste and smell of butter changes when kept for long.
Rancidity can be avoided by:
1. Storing food in air tight containers
2. Storing food in refrigerators
3. Adding antioxidants

4. Storing food in an environment of nitrogen