Chemical reactions

In a chemical reaction, the starting materials are called reactants. The substances produced are called the products.
In each chemical reaction, the number of atoms of each type of element is conserved, and the total mass is conserved.
End products (substances produced) are called products
Mass is conserved
The number of atoms of each type is conserved
Equations for chemical reactions
Word equations use words to represent the reaction.
Symbolic equations use chemical formulae and symbols to represent reactions, and are often called chemical
reactions.
Equations also include state symbols
(s)
solid,
(l)
liquid,
(aq)
aqueous and
(g)
gas written as subscripts after the equation.
Physical and chemical change
A change in which no new substance is formed is called a physical change. A change in which at least one new
substance is formed is called a chemical change.
Examples of physical change include:
Change of state, or change in size
Dissolving a solute in a solvent
Filtration or other physical separation techniques.
Indicators of chemical change
Examples of chemical change that give an indicator for a chemical reaction:
Formation of a gas or a precipitate on mixing solutions
Change in colour
Significant change in temperature, due to absorption or release of heat
Disappearance of a solid which is not merely dissolving or a dissolution of an insoluble solid
ELectrolysis of water
Water can be electrolysed as follows:
1. A voltameter was filled with water that has been acidified with a little acid, since water is a poor conductor of
electricity. Then current was allowed to flow.
2. The negative terminal collects the hydrogen, while the positive terminal collects oxygen.
3. The amount of acid is the same concentration in the beginning and at the end, so therefore does not take part.
4. Water is decomposed before any additional chemical change occurs.
Reaction in cathode: 2H
2
O
(l)
+ 2e

H
2 (g)
+ 2OH
(aq)

Reaction in anode: 2H
2
O
(l)
O
2 (g)
+ 4H
+
(aq)
+ 4e

These two processes clearly indicate the difference between physical and chemical changes:
Electrolysis produces two new substances: hydrogen and oxygen
Boiling does not produce any new substance (change of state only, from liquid to gas)
Electrolysis is difficult to reverse, (need to mix gases and ignite them with a high temperature spark)
whereas boiling can be exactly reversed through cooling.
Electrolysis requires much more energy than boiling
In terms of particles:
Boiling does not alter the actual particles (molecules) it just separates them from one another.
Electrolysis breaks the particles up (water molecules) are broken up to form hydrogen and oxygen molecules.
Energy transfer and chemical change
This usually requires the input of energy in the form of light, heat or electricity. Some pure substances can be
decomposed into two or more other pure substances.
Decomposition and synthesis involving heat

Synthesis of water:
Hydrogen + Oxygen Water + energy
2H
2 (g)
+ O
2 (g)
2H
2
O
(g)
+ energy
Decomposition of mercury oxide:
Mercury Oxide + energy Mercury + Oxygen
2HgO
(s)
+ energy 2Hg
(l)
+ O
2 (g)

Decomposition and synthesis involving light
Combustion of magnesium:
Magnesium + Oxygen Magnesium + energy
2Mg
(g)
+ O
2 (g)
2MgO
(g)
+ energy

Decomposition of silver bromide:

Silver Bromide + energy Silver + Bromine
2AgBr
(s)
+ energy 2Ag
(s)
+ Br
2 (l)
Decomposition and synthesis involving electrical energy
Electrolysis of molten sodium chloride:
Negative electrode: Na
+
+ e

Na
(l)

Positive electrode: 2Cl

Cl
2
+ 2e

Net reaction: 2Na
+
+ 2Cl

2Na
(l)
+ Cl
2 (g)


Bond energy
Decomposing a compound into atoms requires a large input of energy because it is necessary to overcome the strong
chemical bonds holding the atoms together in compounds.
There are strong electrostatic attractions holding ions together in ionic compounds. There are strong covalent bonds
holding atoms together in covalent molecules and covalent lattices.
An exothermic reaction is a reaction that results in the release of heat energy
An endothermic reaction is a reaction that results in the absorption of heat energy
Generally when elements combine directly to form compounds energy is released. To decompose compounds
generally we need to supply energy.

The stronger the chemical bonding is in a compound, the more energy that is required to break the compound
into its atoms. Alternatively, the stronger the chemical bonding is in a compound, the more energy that is realised
when it is formed from its atoms.