CH120 – Chemistry: Molecular

Science

CH130 – Chemistry: The World

of the Molecule
Dr. Stan Von Euw
School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
stanislas.voneuw@universityofgalway.ie
Timetable
 Syllabus

P. Flowers et al., Chemistry 2e, OpenStax , 2019

• Chapter 4: Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions

 Course Outline
Understanding Chemical Reactions in Aqueous Media:
Acids, Bases, Redox Systems, Precipitation, Solubility, and Quantitative Analysis
Lecture 1: Introduction
Lecture 2: Chemical Compounds I
Lecture 3: Chemical Compounds II
Lecture 4: Dissolution Reactions
Lecture 5: Precipitation Reactions
Lecture 6: Acid-Base Reactions
Lecture 7: Redox Reactions I
Lecture 8: Redox Reactions II
Lecture 9: Stoichiometry and Reacting Masses in Chemical Equations
Lecture 10: Limiting Reactants and their Impact on Chemical Reactions
Lecture 11: Review and Correction of Last Year’s Exam Questions
Live Polling
Please download VEVOX
 Lecture 1
Introduction
“Chemistry begins in the stars. The stars are the source
of the chemical elements, which are the building blocks
of matter and the core of our subject.”
Prof. Peter Atkins
Water isn't just for drinking—it's the stage for most of chemistry! Lecture 1

Most chemical reactions occur in water (i.e., in solution). Water is often called the
"universal solvent" because it dissolves a wide variety of substances due to its polarity and
ability to form hydrogen bonds. This makes it an ideal medium for chemical reactions,
particularly in:

1. Biological Systems: Most biochemical reactions in living organisms occur in aqueous

environments, such as within cells or blood plasma.

2. Environmental Processes: Natural processes like weathering, nutrient cycling, and

pollutant breakdown typically happen in water.

3. Industrial Chemistry: Many industrial reactions use water as a solvent due to its
abundance, low cost, and safety compared to organic solvents.

However, some reactions occur better in non-aqueous solvents (e.g., ethanol, acetone) or
solid-state conditions (i.e., reactions between solids without solvents, often at high
temperatures), depending on the reactants and desired products.
Evidence of a Chemical Reaction Lecture 1

1. Gas Formation (Bubbling/Fizzing)

•Visible bubbles or effervescence indicate gas production.
Example: Reaction between vinegar (acetic acid) and
baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) releases CO₂.

2. Temperature Change (Heat Exchange)

•Exothermic Reactions: Release heat, causing the surroundings to warm.
Example: Combustion of fuels.
•Endothermic Reactions: Absorb heat, leading to cooling.
Example: Dissolving ammonium nitrate in water.

3. Colour Change
•A distinct shift in colour signals a chemical change.
Example: Rusting of iron (grey to reddish-brown).

4. Formation of a Precipitate
•An insoluble solid forms and settles out of the solution.
Example: Mixing silver nitrate and sodium chloride forms a
white precipitate of silver chloride.
Chemical vs. Physical Changes: Can You Tell the Difference? Lecture 1
Chemical vs. Physical Changes: Can You Tell the Difference? Lecture 1

Chemical
Chemical vs. Physical Changes: Can You Tell the Difference? Lecture 1

Chemical Physical
Chemical vs. Physical Changes: Can You Tell the Difference? Lecture 1

Chemical Physical Chemical

Chemical vs. Physical Changes: Can You Tell the Difference? Lecture 1

Chemical Physical Chemical

Physical
Chemical vs. Physical Changes: Can You Tell the Difference? Lecture 1

Chemical Physical Chemical

Physical Chemical
Chemical vs. Physical Changes: Can You Tell the Difference? Lecture 1

Chemical Physical Chemical Chemical + Physical

Physical Chemical
Can Physical Changes Sometimes Appear Similar to Chemical Changes? Lecture 1

Yes, physical changes can sometimes appear similar to chemical changes, but they can
be distinguished by the formation of new substances.
In physical changes, the substance's identity remains the same (e.g., melting ice,
dissolving sugar), whereas chemical changes result in new substances with different
properties (e.g., rusting iron, burning wood). Additionally, chemical changes often show
evidence like gas production, temperature change, or precipitate formation, which
physical changes typically do not.

Definitions of a Chemical Reaction:

• A process in which one or more substances (reactants) are transformed into one or more
new substances (products).
• A process involving the rearrangement of molecular or ionic structures, or a change in
the oxidation state of atoms.
• A transformation where new substances with distinct properties are formed.

• Reactant: a substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction (i.e., placed on
the left side of the equation reaction).
• Product: a substance that is present at the end of a chemical reaction (i.e., placed on the
right side of the equation reaction).
Understanding Chemical Equations Lecture 1
• Definition: A chemical equation shows a chemical reaction using symbols for elements
and compounds, with numbers (coefficients) to indicate the amounts of each substance involved.
• Balanced Equations: A balanced equation has the same number of atoms for each
element on both sides of the reaction (reactants and products).
________________________________________
Key Elements in a Chemical Equation:
• Reactants and Products: The starting substances (reactants) are on the left side of the
arrow, and the substances formed (products) are on the right side.
• Plus Sign (+): Separates individual reactant and product formulas.
• Arrow (→): Shows the direction of the reaction from reactants to products.
• Stoichiometric Coefficients: The numbers in front of formulas represent the relative
amounts of each substance. A coefficient of 1 is often omitted.
________________________________________
• Physical States:
o (s) = solid
o (g) = gas
o (l) = liquid
o (aq) = aqueous (dissolved in water)
Understanding Chemical Equations Lecture 1
• Definition: A chemical equation shows a chemical reaction using symbols for elements
and compounds, with numbers (coefficients) to indicate the amounts of each substance involved.
• Balanced Equations: A balanced equation has the same number of atoms for each
element on both sides of the reaction (reactants and products).
________________________________________
Key Elements in a Chemical Equation:
• Reactants and Products: The starting substances (reactants) are on the left side of the
arrow, and the substances formed (products) are on the right side.
• Plus Sign (+): Separates individual reactant and product formulas.
• Arrow (→): Shows the direction of the reaction from reactants to products.
• Stoichiometric Coefficients: The numbers in front of formulas represent the relative
amounts of each substance. A coefficient of 1 is often omitted.
________________________________________
Example:
4 Al(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s)
• This equation shows that 4 atoms of aluminum (Al) react with 3 molecules of oxygen (O₂)
to form 2 formula units of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃).
Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1
Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation Dissolution Oxidation/Reduction (Redox) Acid/Base

4 common types of chemical reactions

that will be covered in this module
Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation Dissolution Oxidation/Reduction (Redox) Acid/Base

A precipitation reaction: a reaction in which dissolved substances react to form

one (or more) solid products (precipitates) that drops out of solution.
Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation reaction MgSO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s) + Na2SO4(aq)

Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation Dissolution Oxidation/Reduction (Redox) Acid/Base

Dissolution:
- a reaction where a single reactant breaks down into its ions.
Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation Dissolution Oxidation/Reduction (Redox) Acid/Base

Dissolution:
- a reaction where a single reactant breaks down into its ions.
- a process where a solute in gaseous, liquid, or solid phase dissolves in a solvent to
form a solution. Dissolution can be a chemical change (solid → ions)
or a physical change (solid → aqueous)
Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Dissolution reaction NaCl(s) → Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation Dissolution Oxidation/Reduction (Redox) Acid/Base

An Oxidation/Reduction reaction (or redox reaction): a reaction that involves the

transfer of one or more electrons. The term oxidation was originally used to describe
chemical reactions involving oxygen (O2), but its meaning has evolved to refer to a
broad and important reaction class known as oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions.
Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Oxidation/Reduction reaction (or redox reaction)

Different Types of Chemical Reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation Dissolution Oxidation/Reduction (Redox) Acid/Base

An Acid/Base reaction: a chemical reaction that involves the exchange of one or

more hydrogen ions, H+, between species that may be neutral (molecules, such as
water, H2O) or electrically charged (ions, such as ammonium, NH4+; hydroxide, OH−; or
carbonate, CO32−).
 4 main types of chemical reactions Lecture 1

Precipitation ions(aq) → solid(s) (or precipitate)

e.g., Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq) → NaCl(s)

Dissolution solid(s) → ions(aq)

e.g., NaCl(s) → Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

electron(s)
Oxidation/Reduction oxydant(s), (l), (g) or (aq) reductant(s), (g), (l) or (aq)
e.g., 4Al(s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s)
Hydrogen ion(s)
Acid/Base acid(aq) base(aq)
e.g., HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → H2O(l) + NaCl(aq)