2025-2026

chemistry
NOTES
Subject:
CHEMICAL REACTION & EQUATION

By R.M
 CHEMICAL REACTION
A chemical reaction is a process which transforms one or more substances into new substances.

A chemical reaction is a process which transforms one or more

substances into new substances
Or
The process in which a substance or substances undergo change, to
produce new substances with new properties, is known as chemical
reaction.
Examples - Rusting of Iron
Burning of wood
Formation of Curd
Respiration

Example:
The burning of magnesium in the air to form magnesium oxide is an
example of a chemical reaction.

2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s) (Activity 1.1)

Before burning in air, the magnesium ribbon is cleaned by rubbing with

sandpaper.
This is done to remove the protective layer of basic magnesium
carbonate from the surface of the magnesium ribbon.
·
The substances which take part in a chemical reaction are called
reactants. (Ex-Mg,O2).
·The new substances produced as a result of a chemical reaction are
called Products. (Ex-MgO).
Important Note
Physical state of the reactant and products are
mentioned to make chemical reaction more
informative. Example we use (g) for gas, (l) for
liquid, (s) for solid and (aq) for aqueous. Thus is
good for chemical reactions and equations notes

Following observations help to determine whether a chemical reaction has

taken place: 1) Change in state 2) Change in colour 3) Evolution of a gas
4) Change in temperature

(i) Evolution of gas: The chemical reaction between zinc and dilute
sulphuric acid is characterised by the evolution of hydrogen gas.
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g) ↑ (Activity -1.2)

(ii) Change in Colour: The chemical reaction between citric acid and purpl
coloured potassium permanganate solution is characterised by a change i
colour from purple to colourless.
The chemical reaction between sulphur dioxide gas and acidified potassium
dichromate solution is characterized by a change in colour from orange to
green.
(iii) Change in state of substance: The combustion reaction of candle
wax is characterised by a change in state from solid to liquid and gas
(because the wax is a solid, water formed by the combustion of wax is a
liquid at room temperature whereas, carbon dioxide produced by the
combustion of wax is a gas). There are some chemical reactions which can
show more than one characteristics.

(iv) Change in temperature: The chemical reaction between quick lime

water to form slaked lime is characterized by a change in temperature
(which is a rise in temperature).
The chemical reaction between zinc granules and dilute sulphuric acid is
also characterised by a change in temperature (which is a rise in
temperature).

(v) Formation of precipitate: The chemical reaction between sulphuric acid

and barium chloride solution is characterised by the formation of a white
precipitate of barium sulphate.
BaCl2(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) (ppt) + 2HCl(aq)
 Balancing Chemical Equation

Chemical reactions and equations notes also include the mean to

balance the equations by several methods.
Law of Conservation of Mass –
- Mass can neither be created nor be destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Thus remains conserved.
- So number of elements involved in product side will be same as
reactant side.
Example - H2 + O2 → H2O
- In this Chemical equation number of H atoms in reactant side is 2
and that of product side is also 2. Number of O atoms in reactant side
is 2 but that of product side is 1.
- To balance this equation, we have to use hit and trial method. 2H2 +
O2 → 2H2O - Now the number of atoms in reactant side is equal to
that of product side. Thus, balanced.

1st Balance the metals by adding whole number

multiples in both reactant and product. Balance the
Non-metals , Then balance the O by adding H2O in
the less side .At last Balance the H by adding in the
less side
 PYQ
1.Write balanced chemical equations for the following chemical reactions-
(a) Hydrogen + Chlorine → Hydrogen chloride
(b) Lead + Copper chloride → Lead chloride + Copper
(c) Zinc oxide + Carbon → Zinc + Carbon monoxide
2.Two grams of ferrous sulphate crystals are heated in a dry boiling tube.
1.a. explain two observations.
2.Name the type of chemical reaction taking place.
3.Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction and name the products
formed.

3.Why do we store silver chloride in dark-coloured bottles?

4. Translate a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the following
reactions:
1.Solutions of Barium chloride and Sodium sulphate in water react to give
insoluble Barium sulphate and a solution of Sodium chloride.
2.Sodium hydroxide solution in water interacts with hydrochloric acid to produce
Sodium chloride solution and water.
3.Hydrogen gas combines with nitrogen to form ammonia.
4.Potassium metal reacts with water to give potassium hydroxide and hydrogen
gas.
5.What is a balanced chemical equation? Why should chemical equations be
balanced?
6.Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction? Explain.
7.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. (ii) Sodium hydroxide solution
(in water) reacts with hydrochloric acid solution (in water) to produce sodium
chloride solution and water.
 What are the types of a Chemical reaction?

Types of Chemical Reactions: Combination Reaction,

Decomposition Reaction, Displacement Reaction, Double Displaceme
Reaction, Neutralization Reactions, Exothermic – Endothermic Reactions a
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions. Types of Chemical Reactions:

Chemical reactions can be classified in following types:

(i) Combination Reaction: Reactions in which two or more reactants combi
to form one product are called Combination Reactions. A general
combination reaction can be represented by the chemical equation given
here:
A + B A--B

Examples: When magnesium is burnt in the air (oxygen), magnesium oxide

is formed. In this reaction, magnesium is combined with oxygen
. Mg(s) + O2(g) 2MgO(s)
Magnesium + Oxygen Magnesium Oxide
When carbon is burnt in oxygen (air), carbon dioxide is formed. In this
reaction, carbon is combined with oxygen.
C (s) + O2(g) CO2(g)
Carbon + Oxygen Carbon dioxide
(ii) Decomposition Reaction:
Reactions in which one compound decomposes in two or more
compounds or elements are known as Decomposition Reaction. A
decomposition reaction is just the opposite of combination reaction.
A general decomposition reaction can be represented as follows:

A---B A + B
Examples:
When calcium carbonate is heated, it decomposes into calcium oxide
and carbon dioxide.
CaCO3(s) heat− CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Calcium carbonate Calcium oxide + Carbon dioxide
When ferric hydroxide is heated, it decomposes into ferric oxide and
water
2Fe(OH)3(s) Fe2O3(s) + 3H2O(l)

Thermal Decomposition: The decomposition of a substance on heating is

known as Thermal Decomposition. Example:

2Pb(NO3)2(s) heat− − 2PbO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

 Electrolytic Decomposition: Reactions in which compounds decompose
into simpler compounds because of passing of electricity, are known as
Electrolytic Decomposition. This is also known as Electrolysis.
Example: When electricity is passed in water, it decomposes into
hydrogen and oxygen.
2H2O(l) -à 2H2(g) + O2(g)

electrolysis of water (Activity 1.6)

Photolysis or Photo Decomposition Reaction: Reactions in which a

compound decomposes because of sunlight are known as Photolysis or
Photo Decomposition Reaction.
Example: When silver chloride is put in sunlight, it decomposes into
silver metal and chlorine gas.
2AgCl(s) (white) Sunlight− 2Ag(s) (grey) + Cl2(g)
Photographic paper has a coat of silver chloride, which turns into grey
when exposed to sunlight. It happens because silver chloride is colourless
while silver is a grey metal.
(iii) Displacement Reaction: The chemical reactions in which a more reactive
element displaces a less reactive element from a compound is known as
Displacement Reactions. Displacement reactions are also known as
Substitution Reaction or Single Displacement/ replacement reactions. A
general displacement reaction can be represented by using a chemical
equation as follows :
A + BC AC + B
Displacement reaction takes place only when ‘A’ is more reactive than B.
If ‘B’ is more reactive than ‘A’, then ‘A’ will not displace ‘C’ from ‘BC’
and reaction will not be taking place. Examples: When zinc reacts with
hydrochloric acid, it gives hydrogen gas and zinc chloride.

When zinc reacts with copper sulphate, it forms zinc sulphate and copper
metal. Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)

Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

(iv) Double Displacement Reaction: Reactions in which ions are exchanged
between two reactants forming new compounds are called Double
Displacement Reactions.
AB + CD AC + BD
Examples:
When the solution of barium chloride reacts with the solution of sodium
sulphate, white precipitate of barium sulphate is formed along with sodium
chloride.
BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) BaSO4(s) (Precipitate) + 2NaCl(aq)
When sodium hydroxide (a base) reacts with hydrochloric acid, sodium
chloride and water are formed.
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Note: Double Displacement Reaction, in which precipitate is formed, is also
known as precipitation reaction. Neutralisation reactions are also examples
of double displacement reaction.
Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
When zinc reacts with copper sulphate, it forms zinc sulphate and copper
metal.
Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

(v) Oxidation and Reduction Reactions:

Oxidation: Addition of oxygen or non-metallic element or removal of
hydrogen or metallic element from a compound is known as Oxidation.
Elements or compounds in which oxygen or non-metallic element is
added or hydrogen or metallic element is removed are called to be
Oxidized.
Reduction: Addition of hydrogen or metallic element or removal of oxygen
or non-metallic element from a compound is called Reduction.
The compound or element which goes under reduction in called to be
Reduced.
Oxidation and Reduction take place together.
Oxidizing agent:
·The substance which gives oxygen for oxidation is called an Oxidizing
agent.
·The substance which removes hydrogen is also called an Oxidizing agent.
Reducing agent:
·The substance which gives hydrogen for reduction is called a Reducing
agent.
·The substance which removes oxygen is also called a Reducing agent.
The reaction in which oxidation and reduction both take place
simultaneously is called Redox reaction.
When copper oxide is heated with hydrogen, then copper metal and
hydrogen are formed.
CuO + H2 Cu + H2O

(i) In this reaction, CuO is changing into Cu. Oxygen is being removed fr
copper oxide. Removal of oxygen from a substance is called Reduction,
copper oxide is being reduced to copper. (ii) In this reaction, H2 is chang
to H2O. Oxygen is being added to hydrogen. Addition of oxygen to
substance is called Oxidation, so hydrogen is being oxidised to water. ·T
substance which gets oxidised is the reducing agent. ·The substance wh
gets reduced is the oxidizing agent.
(vi) Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions:
Exothermic Reaction: Reaction which produces energy is called Exothermic
Reaction. Most of the decomposition reactions are exothermic.
Example:
Respiration is a decomposition reaction in which energy is released.
CaO + H2O - Ca(OH)2 + Energy
(vii)Endothermic Reaction:
A chemical reaction in which heat energy is absorbed is called Endothermic
Reaction.
Example:
Decomposition of calcium carbonate.
CaCO3 - CaO + CO2

Effects of Oxidation in Daily Life -

1) Corrosion (जंग लगना) –
When a metal is exposed to substances such as moisture, acid etc. for
some time, a layer of hydrated oxide is formed which weakens the metal
and hence metal is said to be corrode
Rusting of iron, black coating on silver and green coating on copper are
examples of corrosion.
Corrosion can be prevented by galvanization, electroplating or painting.

2)Rancidity (सड़ जाना) - The oxidation of fats and oils when exposed to
air is known as rancidity. It leads to bad smell and bad taste of food.
 PRACTICE
1.Why are decomposition reactions called the opposite of combination reactions?
Write equations for decomposition reactions.
2.What is the difference between displacement and double displacement reactions?
Write relevant equations for the above.
3. Why do we apply paint on iron articles?
4.In the refining of silver, the recovery of silver from Silver nitrate solution
involves displacement reaction by Copper metal. Write down the reaction involved.
5. Balance the following chemical equations properly.
1.HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 Ca(NO3)2 + H2O
2.NaOH + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + H2O
3.NaCl + AgNO3 AgCl + NaNO3
4.BaCl2 + H2SO4 BaSO4 + HCl
6.Explain the following in terms of the gain of oxygen with two examples each.
(a) Oxidation (b) Reduction
7.A shiny brown-coloured element ‘X’ on heating in the air becomes black. Name
the element ‘X’ & the black-coloured compound formed.
8. Ferrous sulphate compound decomposes with the evolution of a gas having a
characteristic smell of burning sulphur. Write the chemical reaction and identify
the various type of reaction.
9. You are provided with two containers of copper and Aluminium. You are also
given dil HCl, dil HNO3, ZnCl2 and H2O solution. In which of the above containers
solutions can be kept?
10.On adding a drop of barium chloride solution to an aqueous solution of sodium
sulphite, a white ppt is obtained.
(i) Write balanced chemical equations of the reaction involved?
(ii) What other name can be provided for this precipitation reaction?
(iii) On combined dilute hydrochloric acid HCl to the reaction mixture, white ppt
disappears. Why?