Chapter 1chemical Reactions and Equations
Chapter 1chemical Reactions and Equations
Chapter 1chemical Reactions and Equations
In a chemical reaction, a new substance is formed which is completely different in properties from
the original substance, so in a chemical reaction, a chemical change takes place.
Only a rearrangement of atoms takes place in a chemical reaction.
• The substances which take part in a chemical reaction are called reactants.
• The new substances produced as a result of a chemical reaction are called products.
Example: The burning of magnesium in the air to form magnesium oxide is an example of a
chemical reaction.
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.
Reactant: Substances which take part in a chemical reaction are called reactants.
Example: Mg and O2.
Product: New substance formed after a chemical reaction is called a product.Example: MgO.
(ii) Change in Colour: The chemical reaction between citric acid and purple coloured potassium
permanganate solution is characterised by a change in colour from purple to colourless.
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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)
When hydrogen reacts with oxygen, it gives water. This reaction can be represented by the
following chemical equation:
Hydrogen + Oxygen → Water
H2 + O2 → H2O
In the first equation, words are used and in second, symbols of substances are used to write the
chemical equation. For convenience, the symbol of substance is used to represent chemical
equations.
A chemical equation is a way to represent the chemical reaction in a concise and informative way.
A chemical equation can be divided into two types: Balanced Chemical Equation and Unbalanced
Chemical Equation.
(a) Balanced Chemical Equation: A balanced chemical equation has the number of atoms of each
element equal on both sides.
Example: Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2
In this equation, numbers of zinc, hydrogen and sulphate are equal on both sides, so it is a
Balanced Chemical Equation.
According to the Law of Conservation of Mass, mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a
chemical reaction. To obey this law, the total mass of elements present in reactants must be
equal to the total mass of elements present in products.
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(b) Unbalanced Chemical Equation: If the number of atoms of each element in reactants is not
equal to the number of atoms of each element present in the product, then the chemical equation
is called Unbalanced Chemical Equation.
Example: Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
In this example, a number of atoms of elements are not equal on two sides of the reaction. For
example; on the left-hand side only one iron atom is present, while three iron atoms are present on
the right-hand side. Therefore, it is an unbalanced chemical equation.
Balancing a Chemical Equation: To balance the given or any chemical equation, follow these
steps:
Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
Write the number of atoms of elements present in reactants and in products in a table as shown
here.
Name of atom No. of atoms in the reactant No. of atoms in the product
Iron 1 3
Hydrogen 2 2
Oxygen 1 4
Balance the atom which is maximum in number on either side of a chemical equation.
In this equation, the number of oxygen atom is the maximum on the RHS.
To balance the oxygen, one needs to multiply the oxygen on the LHS by 4, so that, the number of
oxygen atoms becomes equal on both sides.
Fe + 4 × H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
Now, the number of hydrogen atoms becomes 8 on the LHS, which is more than that on the RHS.
To balance it, one needs to multiply the hydrogen on the RHS by 4.
Fe + 4 × H2O → Fe3O4 + 4 × H2
After that, the number of oxygen and hydrogen atoms becomes equal on both sides. The number
of iron is one on the LHS, while it is three on the RHS. To balance it, multiply the iron on the LHS by
3.
3 × Fe + 4 × H2O → Fe3O4 + 4 × H2
Now the number of atoms of each element becomes equal on both sides. Thus, this equation
becomes a balanced equation.
Name of atom No. of atoms in the reactant No. of atoms in the product
Iron 3 3
Hydrogen 8 8
Oxygen 4 4
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A chemical equation is said to be balanced when the number of atoms of the elements
on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of the elements on the product
side. There are certain steps that you can follow to balance a chemical equation, and
they are:
• Make a list of each element involved in the equation.
• Then identify the number of atoms present in each element on both reactant and
product side.
• Multiply the number of atoms to make both reactants and product side equal.
• Place the coefficient in front of the reactants and product elements, so obtained
from the multiplication.
• Check the equation to assure that it is balanced.
Unbalanced Chemical Equation - CaCo + H PO → Ca (PO ) + H Co
3 3 4 3 4 2 2 3
Thus, by writing the symbols of the physical state of substances and condition under which
reaction takes place, a chemical equation can be made more informative.
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions.
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Types of Chemical Reactions:
Chemical reactions can be classified in following types:
(i) Combination Reaction: Reactions in which two or more reactants combine to form one product
are called Combination Reactions.
A general combination reaction can be represented by the chemical equation given here:
A + B → AB
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 :
AB → 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.
(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
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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.
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)
(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.
Precipitation Reaction: The reaction in which precipitate is formed by the mixing of the aqueous
solution of two salts is called Precipitation Reaction.
Example:
Neutralization Reaction: The reaction in which an acid reacts with a base to form salt and water
by an exchange of ions is called Neutralization Reaction.
Example:
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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 from copper oxide. Removal
of oxygen from a substance is called Reduction, so copper oxide is being reduced to copper.
(ii) In this reaction, H2 is changing to H2O. Oxygen is being added to hydrogen. Addition of oxygen
to a substance is called Oxidation, so hydrogen is being oxidised to water.
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their reaction with oxygen, water, acids, gases etc. present in the atmosphere is called Corrosion.
Example: Rusting of iron.
Rusting: Iron when reacts with oxygen and moisture forms red substance which is called Rust.
• By painting.
• By greasing and oiling.
• By galvanisation.
Corrosion of Copper: Copper objects lose their lustre and shine after some time because the
surface of these objects acquires a green coating of basic copper carbonate, CuCO3.Cu(OH)2 when
exposed to air.
Corrosion of Silver Metal: The surface of silver metal gets tarnished (becomes dull) on exposure
to air, due to the formation of a coating of black silver sulphide(Ag2S) on its surface by the action
of H2S gas present in the air.
Rancidity: The taste and odour of food materials containing fat and oil changes when they are left
exposed to air for a long time. This is called Rancidity. It is caused due to the oxidation of fat and
oil present in food materials.
• By adding anti-oxidant.
• Vacuum packing.
• Replacing air by nitrogen.
• Refrigeration of foodstuff.
Quick Review
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2. Chemical Equation: Chemical reactions can be written in chemical equation form which should
always be balanced.
Decomposition reaction: A single reactant breaks down to yield two or more products.
Redox reaction: Chemical reaction in which both oxidation and reduction take place
simultaneously.
• Corrosion: It is an undesirable change that occurs in metals when they are attacked
by moisture, air, acids and bases.
Example, Corrosion (rusting) of Iron: Fe2O3. nH2O (Hydrated iron oxide)
• Rancidity: Undesirable change that takes place in oil containing food items due to the
oxidation of fatty acids.
Preventive methods of rancidity: Adding antioxidants to the food materials, storing
food in the airtight container, flushing out air with nitrogen gas and refrigeration.
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Chap 3 but important for displacement reactions
Reactivity Series
What is the Reactivity Series?
The reactivity series of metals, also known as the activity series, refers to the arrangement of metals
in the descending order of their reactivities.
The data provided by the reactivity series can be used to predict whether a metal can displace another in a
single displacement reaction. It can also be used to obtain information on the reactivity of metals towards
water and acids.
A chart of the reactivity series of common metals is provided below.
Metals tend to readily lose electrons and form cations. Most of them react with atmospheric oxygen to form
metal oxides. However, different metals have different reactivities towards oxygen (unreactive metals such
as gold and platinum do not readily form oxides when exposed to air).
Salient Features
• The metals at the top of the reactivity series are powerful reducing agents since they are easily
oxidized. These metals tarnish/corrode very easily.
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• The reducing ability of the metals grows weaker while traversing down the series.
• The electro positivity of the elements also reduces while moving down the reactivity series of metals.
• All metals that are found above hydrogen in the activity series liberate H2 gas upon reacting with
dilute HCl or dilute H2SO4.
• Metals that are placed higher on the reactivity series have the ability to displace metals that are
placed lower from their salt solutions.
• Higher ranking metals require greater amounts of energy for their isolation from ores and other
compounds.
Another important feature of the activity series is that while travelling down the series, the electron-donating
ability of the metals reduces.
Caesium Cs+
Francium Fr+
Rubidium Rb+
Potassium K+
Sodium Na+
Lithium Li+
Barium Ba2+
Radium Ra2+
Strontium Sr2+
Calcium Ca2+
Magnesium Mg2+
Beryllium Be2+
Aluminium Al3+
Titanium Ti4+
Manganese Mn2+
Zinc Zn2+
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Chromium Cr3+
Iron Fe3+
Cadmium Cd2+
Cobalt Co2+
Nickel Ni2+
Tin Sn2+
Lead Pb2+
Antimony Sb3+
Bismuth Bi3+
Copper Cu2+
Tungsten W3+
Mercury Hg2+
Silver Ag+
Platinum Pt4+
Gold Au3+
Despite being a non-metal, hydrogen is often included in the reactivity series since it helps compare the
reactivities of the metals. The metals placed above hydrogen in the series can displace it from acids such as
HCl and H2SO4 (since they are more reactive).
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Practice Questions
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