29/6/2025, Created with Coconote - [Link]
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Overview
This lecture introduces the basics of chemical reactions, their types, and how
to represent them using chemical equations. It covers key concepts such as
balancing equations, oxidation, reduction, corrosion, and rancidity. The
chapter includes practical activities and examples to illustrate each concept
and their relevance in daily life.
Chemical Reactions & Observations
• Chemical reactions involve changes in the nature and identity of
substances, resulting in the formation of new substances.
• Indicators that a chemical reaction has occurred include:
• Change in state (solid, liquid, gas)
• Change in color
• Evolution of a gas
• Change in temperature
• Chemical changes differ from physical changes because they produce
new substances.
• Figure 1.1: Burning a magnesium ribbon in air produces a dazzling white
flame and forms white magnesium oxide powder.
• Figure 1.2: When zinc reacts with dilute sulphuric acid, hydrogen gas is
produced.
Chemical Equations and Their Representation
• Chemical equations use chemical formulae to represent the reactants
and products of a reaction.
• Word equations can be converted to chemical equations for clarity and
brevity.
• Example: Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium oxide becomes Mg + O₂
→ MgO
• Reactants are written on the left-hand side (LHS), products on the right-
hand side (RHS), separated by an arrow indicating the direction of the
reaction.
• The arrow points from reactants to products, showing the
transformation.
• Word equations describe reactions in sentence form, while chemical
equations use symbols and formulae for conciseness.
• Figure: Example of word and chemical equations for burning magnesium.
Balancing Chemical Equations
• Chemical equations must be balanced to obey the law of conservation of
mass, which states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a
chemical reaction.
• Balancing ensures the number of atoms of each element is equal on both
sides of the equation.
• Use coefficients (whole numbers placed before formulas) to balance
atoms; never change the chemical formulas themselves.
• Steps for balancing a chemical equation:
. List the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the
equation.
. Start with the compound containing the maximum number of atoms.
. Adjust coefficients to balance one element at a time.
. Repeat the process until all elements are balanced.
. Check your work by counting atoms again on both sides.
• Physical states are indicated in equations: (s) for solid, (l) for liquid, (g)
for gas, and (aq) for aqueous (dissolved in water).
• Reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, or catalysts may be
shown above or below the arrow.
• Figure: Step-by-step example of balancing Fe + H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + H₂.
Types of Chemical Reactions
• Combination Reaction: Two or more substances combine to form a
single product.
• Example: CaO(s) + H₂O(l) → Ca(OH)₂(aq) + heat
• Figure 1.3: Formation of slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) from quick
lime and water.
• Other examples: C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g); 2H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2H₂O(l)
• Combination reactions are often exothermic, releasing heat.
• Decomposition Reaction: A single compound breaks down into two or
more simpler substances.
• Example: CaCO₃(s) (heat) → CaO(s) + CO₂(g) (thermal decomposition)
• Decomposition can be triggered by heat (thermal), light
(photodecomposition), or electricity (electrolysis).
• Figure 1.4: Heating ferrous sulphate crystals; Figure 1.5: Heating lead
nitrate.
• Example: 2AgCl(s) (sunlight) → 2Ag(s) + Cl₂(g) (photodecomposition)
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• Example: Electrolysis of water produces hydrogen and oxygen gases.
• Displacement Reaction: An element replaces another element in a
compound.
• Example: Fe(s) + CuSO₄(aq) → FeSO₄(aq) + Cu(s)
• Iron displaces copper from copper sulphate solution, causing a color
change and deposition of copper.
• Other examples: Zn(s) + CuSO₄(aq) → ZnSO₄(aq) + Cu(s); Pb(s) +
CuCl₂(aq) → PbCl₂(aq) + Cu(s)
• Figure 1.8: Iron nails in copper sulphate solution before and after
reaction.
• Double Displacement Reaction: Exchange of ions between two
compounds, often forming a precipitate.
• Example: Na₂SO₄(aq) + BaCl₂(aq) → BaSO₄(s) + 2NaCl(aq)
• The formation of an insoluble solid (precipitate) is called a
precipitation reaction.
• Figure 1.9: Formation of barium sulphate precipitate.
• Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Reaction: One reactant is oxidized (gains
oxygen or loses hydrogen), another is reduced (loses oxygen or gains
hydrogen).
• Example: 2Cu + O₂ (heat) → 2CuO (oxidation of copper)
• CuO + H₂ (heat) → Cu + H₂O (reduction of copper oxide)
• In redox reactions, oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.
• Other examples: ZnO + C → Zn + CO; MnO₂ + 4HCl → MnCl₂ + 2H₂O +
Cl₂
• Figure 1.10: Oxidation of copper powder to copper oxide.
Effects of Oxidation in Daily Life
• Corrosion: Metals react with substances in the environment (such as
moisture and acids), leading to gradual destruction.
• Example: Rusting of iron forms a reddish-brown coating.
• Silver develops a black coating; copper develops a green coating.
• Corrosion damages structures like bridges, vehicles, railings, and
ships, especially those made of iron.
• Corrosion is a significant problem, leading to economic loss due to the
need for replacement and repair.
• Rancidity: Fats and oils oxidize, resulting in unpleasant taste and smell.
• Rancidity is prevented by adding antioxidants or storing food in
airtight containers.
• Chips manufacturers flush bags with nitrogen to prevent oxidation and
keep food fresh.
Key Terms & Definitions
• Chemical Reaction: A process in which new substances with different
properties are formed.
• Reactant: Substance consumed during a reaction.
• Product: Substance formed as a result of a reaction.
• Balanced Equation: A chemical equation with equal numbers of atoms of
each element on both sides.
• Combination Reaction: Two or more reactants form one product.
• Decomposition Reaction: One compound breaks into two or more
substances.
• Displacement Reaction: One element replaces another in a compound.
• Double Displacement Reaction: Ions are exchanged between two
compounds.
• Precipitate: An insoluble solid formed in a solution during a reaction.
• Oxidation: Gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen.
• Reduction: Loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen.
• Corrosion: Gradual destruction of metals by environmental reactions.
• Rancidity: Spoilage of fats/oils due to oxidation.
Action Items / Next Steps
• Practice writing and balancing chemical equations, including state
symbols and reaction conditions.
• Complete textbook and in-class questions and exercises for
reinforcement.
• Observe and identify chemical changes in daily life, relating them to
reaction types.
• Perform group activity: Use temperature changes to distinguish
exothermic and endothermic reactions.
• Explore further: Investigate the effects of corrosion and rancidity, and
methods to prevent them.
Figures referenced:
• Figure 1.1: Burning magnesium ribbon in air.
• Figure 1.2: Formation of hydrogen gas from zinc and acid.
• Figure 1.3: Formation of slaked lime from quick lime and water.
• Figure 1.4: Heating ferrous sulphate crystals.
• Figure 1.5: Heating lead nitrate and emission of nitrogen dioxide.
• Figure 1.6: Electrolysis of water.
• Figure 1.7: Decomposition of silver chloride in sunlight.
• Figure 1.8: Iron nails in copper sulphate solution (before and after).
• Figure 1.9: Formation of barium sulphate precipitate.
• Figure 1.10: Oxidation of copper powder to copper oxide.
