Ch :1 – Chemical Reactions and Equations

 Introduction
Whenever lime is mixed with water we get a clear
solution with and on touching the tube it feels hot.
That is lime when mixed with water undergoes certain
physical changes that makes it evolve heat and give a
clear solution.

Similarly, the iron articles undergoes physical changes

and develops a layer of rust on its surface. It reacts with
the oxygen present in air and moisture and develops rust
(hydrated iron (III) oxide).
These are all chemical reactions.
 Chemical reaction
Whenever a chemical reaction takes place following changes occurs:
o Change in colour
During rusting the iron articles undergoes change in colour. We have
also observed that silver gets tarnished when kept for a long time.
The metallic silver reacts with hydrogen sulphide or sulphur present
in air and gets tarnished.
o Change in state
On heating liquid changes its state and converts to vapour due

to reaction within the particles caused by heat.

o Change in odour
Due to chemical reaction food gets spoiled and
smells really bad.
o Change in temperature
Lime when mixed with water undergoes certain physical
changes that makes it evolve heat and give a clear
solution. Such reactions are called exothermic reactions.
o Release of gas
During Aerobic cellular respiration in human body energy molecules combines with inhaled oxygen
and releases energy needed by the cells. It also releases carbon dioxide gas and water. Here is
the overall equation for aerobic cellular respiration:

 Balanced chemical equation

It is always necessary to balance a chemical equation. In an unbalanced equation the mass is not
the same on both sides of the equation which leads to violation of law of conservation of mass
which states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed. So balancing a chemical equation
balances the amount of reactant and product on both side of arrow. An unbalanced chemical
equation is called a skeletal chemical equation.
For instance, Chemical equation for rusting of iron is given by

According to this equation amount of reactants and products on both sides is as follows:
Ferrous – 4 Oxygen- 8 Hydrogen-4
 How to balance a chemical equation
We take the reaction of formation of water.
H2 + O2 --> H2O (unbalanced equation for formation of water)
This equation can be balanced by using certain steps as mentioned below.
Step I: list the number of atoms of each element present on both sides of arrow.
Reactant Product
H 2 2
O 2 1
Step II: Begin balancing with the compound having maximum number of atoms. Following this rule
we select H2O. Here there are 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side but only 1 oxygen atom on the
product side. So equation is unbalanced. In order to balance we need to do following step.
Reactant Product
Initial oxygen atom 2 1
To balance 2 1X2
So the equation stands out to be
H2 + O2 --> 2H2O
Step III: After balancing oxygen the equation is H2 + O2  2H2O. So now we need to balance
hydrogen atom.
Reactant Product
Initial hydrogen atom 2 4
To balance 2X2 4
So the final equation stands out to be
2H2 + O2 --> 2H2O
 Types of reaction
A chemical reaction can be categorised into several types.
In some reaction two reactants combine to form one product. Whereas in other many reactants
undergoes reaction to give a product. In some reactions the reactants displaces the other from
their solution. Whereas in some other a single reactant undergoes reaction and favourable
conditions to decompose into many products.

 Combination reaction
When two or more reactants undergoes chemical reaction to form a single product, the reactions
are called combination reactions i.e. A + B  AB.
 Consider the following combination reactions.
Burning of coal Formation of water  Formation of hydrochloric acid

Formation of sodium chloride  Reaction of lime with water

 Decomposition reaction
When reactants on application of energy either in the form of heat, light or electricity breaks down
into products, the reaction is termed as decomposition reaction i.e. AB + Heat  A + B. Such
reactions involving the absorption of heat are known as endothermic reactions.
Consider the following decomposition reactions.
o Silver chloride turns grey in sunlight. This is due to the
decomposition of silver chloride into silver and chlorine
by light.
o Decomposition of calcium carbonate to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide on application of
heat. Calcium oxide also known lime or quick lime finds great use in the manufacture of
cement. This reaction involves heating and hence is termed as thermal reaction.

 Displacement reaction
In displacement reaction a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal but a less reactive
metal cannot displace a more reactive metal.

Let us take 5 beakers.

o In beaker A Zn being more reactive than copper replaces copper from the solution of copper
sulphate and forms zinc sulphate.

o In beaker B iron being more reactive than copper replaces it from its solution and forms iron
sulphate.

o In beaker C there would be no reaction as less reactive metal (copper) cannot displace more
reactive metal (zinc) from its solution.
o In beaker D there would be no reaction as less reactive metal (copper) cannot displace more
reactive metal (iron) from its solution.
o In beaker E there would be no reaction as less reactive metal (iron) cannot displace more
reactive metal (zinc) from its solution.
 Double displacement reaction
A reaction involving the exchange of ions between the reactants is termed as Double
displacement reaction.

Consider the following double displacement reaction.

o Chemical reaction between Na2S and HCl.
Here Na and H are positive ions i.e. Na+ and H+, whereas
S and Cl are negative ions S2- and Cl-. Hence,

o Reaction of sodium sulphate solution with barium chloride solution.

The reaction involves formation of precipitation. The white precipitate of BaSO4 is formed by the
reaction of SO42- and Ba2+. This type of reaction that involves formation of precipitation are called
precipitation reaction.
(SOLUBILITY RULES :- 1. Alkali metal compounds, acetates, nitrates, and ammonium compounds are all soluble. 2.
Hydroxides of alkali metals and NH4 +1, Ca+2, Sr+2, and Ba+2 are soluble. All others are insoluble. 3. All halides
(chlorides etc.) are soluble except for those containing Ag+1, Pb+2, and Hg2 +2. 4. Most sulfates are soluble, except
for BaSO4, SrSO4, Ag2SO4, PbSO4, and CaSO4. 5. Most phosphates, carbonates, chromates and sulfides are insoluble
(except those of the alkali metals and ammonium). 6. In addition, all acids are soluble!)
 Oxidation- Reduction reaction
A reaction in which one reactant undergoes oxidation whereas the other gets reduced during the
course of reaction are termed as oxidation-reduction reactions or redox reactions. Oxidation refers
to the loss of electrons or increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion. Reduction refers
to the gain of electrons or decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.
C+O2CO2 (Oxidation)
Cao
Consider the following redox reaction.
o Burning sugars, such as glucose (C6H12O6) and the fatty acids in the fats we eat.
C6H12O6(aq) + 6 O2(g) --> 6 CO2(g) + 6 H2O(l)
o Reaction of Manganese dioxide with hydrochloric acid involves redox reaction.

o Reaction of zinc oxide and carbon.

ZnO + C --> Zn + CO
In this reaction carbon is oxidised to CO and ZnO is reduced to Zn.
 Corrosion
We all must have observed newly bought iron, silver or coper articles appears very shiny but with
passage of time they get dull. This is due to the layer of metal oxide that develops on their surface.
Rusting of iron, silver jewellery getting tarnished, or copper articles getting covered by green layer.
Metals reacts with atmospheric oxygen and produces metal oxides that are basic in nature
because they react with water to form bases.
o In case of rusting of iron, the iron reacts with the
oxygen present in air and moisture and develops rust
(hydrated iron (III) oxide).

Corrosion causes damage to car bodies, bridges, iron railings, ships and to all objects made of
metals, specially those of iron.
o In case of rusting of copper, the metallic copper reacts with oxygen, carbon-dioxide and
atmospheric moisture and develops a green coloured coating of copper hydroxide and copper
carbonate.
Fig. Copper developing green coloured rust on exposure to moist air

In case of tarnishing of silver articles, the metallic silver reacts with hydrogen sulphide or sulphur
present in air and gets tarnished.

Rancidity
It is generally observed that when oily food items are kept for longer time they start to smell very
bad. This happens because the fats and oils get oxidised and hence they become rancid that
changes their taste and smell.
To avoid such spoilage antioxidants are added to oily food items. Food items can also be
prevented from getting oxidised by keeping them in air tight packets. Due to this reason packets of
chips are flushed with gas such as nitrogen that acts as antioxidant and prevents spoilage of the
fried chips.