Chapter 8: Chemical Equations and Reactions

8.1: Describing Chemical Reactions

What is a chemical reaction?
The process by which one or more substances change to produce one or more
different substances

What is a chemical equation?

Represents, with symbols and formulas, the identities and relative molecular or
molar amounts of the reactants and products in a chemical reaction

Example: (NH4)2Cr2O7 (s) N2(g) + Cr2O3(s) + 4H2O (g)

Chemical reactions have physical indicators

o
o
o
o

Release/absorb of energy as heat or/and light

Color change be careful with this one
Production of a gas (bubbles)
Formation of a precipitate: a solid that is produced as a result of a chemical
reaction in a solution that separates from the solution

Chemical equations must satisfy the law of conservation of

mass
o The equation must represent known facts (all reactants and products)
o The equation must contain the correct formulas for the reactants and
products
o The law of conservation mass must be satisfied (same number and types of
atoms in products and reactants)

Writing word equations

Word equation: The reactants and products in a chemical reaction are represented
by words

Example:

Metal + oxygen carbon dioxide + water

= can be read yields

Writing formula equations

Formula equation: represents the reactants and products of a chemical reaction by
their symbols or formulas

Example: CH4(g) + O2(g) CO2(g) + H2O(g) (not balanced)

Writing Balanced chemical equations

o Product = atoms
o Can ONLY add coefficients
What is a coefficient? A small whole number that appears in front of a
formula in a chemical equation
Multiplies the atoms within it
Specifies the relative moles of the substance
6H20

o Leave simple atoms to last (O2, H2, MG)

o Trial an error, but practice reveals common patterns

Balancing Equation practice

CH4(g) + O2(g) CO2(g) + H2O(g) (not balanced)
o

Write down all the atoms that are represented in the reactants and in the
products

Reactants
C
1

H
4

Products
O
2

C
1

H
2

O
3

CH4(g) + O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)

1

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)

1

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(g) BALANCED

Other symbols used in chemical equations:

8.2 Types of Chemical Reactions

Synthesis Reaction

2 or more substances (simple) combine to form a new compound (complex)

o Dummy equation: A + B AB
o Example: 2Mg(s) + O2(g) 2MgO(s)

Decomposition Reaction
A single compound (complex) undergoes a reaction that produces two or more
simpler substances
o Dummy equation: AB A + B
o Example: 2H2O(l) 2H2(g) + O2(g) Electrolysis

Single-Displacement Reaction
One element replaces another in single-displacement reactions
o Dummy equations: AX + B BX + A
o Example: 2NaCl(aq) + F2(g) 2NaF(s) + Cl2(g)

Double-Displacement Reactions
Two compounds exchange ions (in aqueous solutions)
o Dummy equations: AX + BY AY + BX
o Example: BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) ---> BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

Combustion Reaction
Involve oxygen and release a large amount of energy in the form of light and heat
o No dummy equation, look for:
oxygen in reactants
water in products (CO2 also)
o Example: C3H8(g) + 5O2(g) 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(g)

8.3 Activity Series of the Elements

Activity Series
o A list of elements organized according to the ease with which elements
undergo certain chemical reactions
o It will tell you if an element can replace another in a single-displacement
reaction

How will you know?

o Most reactive elements on top it can replace anything below it in a

compound
o Least reactive are on the bottom and are easily kicked out of a compound
by the elements above it

Activity Series Practice

Will the reaction occur?
o Cd(s) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) Cd(NO3)2 + Pb
Yes because Cadmium is above Lead in the activity series