SHODHAN INSTITUTE

1.Chemical Reactions and Equations

Chemical reactions are the processes in which new substances with new properties are formed. During a chemical reaction,
only a rearrangement of atoms takes place.

(i)The substances which take part in a chemical reaction are called reactants.

(ii)The new substances produced as a result of chemical reaction are called products.

Magnesium is a silvery-white metal. Magnesium metal is available in a science laboratory in the form of a magnesium ribbon
(or magnesium wire). When a magnesium ribbon is heated, it burns in air with a dazzling white flame to form a white powder
called magnesium oxide. Actually, on heating, magnesium combines with oxygen present in air to form magnesium oxide.

Magnesium + Oxygen→ Magnesium oxide

Before burning in air, the magnesium ribbon is cleaned by rubbing with a sand paper to remove the protective layer of basic
magnesium carbonate from the surface of magnesium ribbon.

The dazzling(very bright) white light given out during the burning of magnesium ribbon is harmful to the eyes. So, the
magnesium ribbon should be burned by keeping it as far as possible from the eyes. We can perform the chemical reaction
involved in the burning of magnesium ribbon as follows:

(i)Take about 2 cm long magnesium ribbon and clean it by rubbing its surface with sand paper.

(ii)Hold the magnesium ribbon with a pair of tongs at one end, and heat its other end over a burner.

(iii)The magnesium ribbon starts burning with a dazzling white flame.

(iv)Hold the burning magnesium ribbon over a watch glass so that the magnesium oxide powder being formed collects in the
watch glass.

The reaction occurs as follows:

2Mg + O2 →2MgO

A large number of chemical reactions keep on occuring in our daily life. Souring of milk (when left at room temperature during
summer), formation of curd from milk, cooking of food, digestion of food in our body, process of respiration, fermentation of
grapes, rusting of iron (when left exposed to humid atmosphere), burning of fuels (like wood, coal, kerosene, petrol and LPG),
burning of candle wax, and ripening of fruits are all chemical changes which involve chemical reactions.

The important characteristics of chemical reactions are,

(i)Evolution of a gas,

(ii)Formation of a precipitate,

(iii)Change in colour,

(iv)Change in temperature, and

(v)Change in state

1.Evolution of a gas

The chemical reaction between zinc and dilute sulphuric acid is characterized by the evolution of hydrogen gas. (We can also
use dilute hydrochloric acid in place of dilute sulphuric acid in this reaction). We can perform this chemical reaction in the
laboratory as follows:
(i)Take some zinc granules in a conical flask (or a test-tube).

(ii)Add dilute sulphuric acid over zinc granules.

(iii)We will see the bubbles of hydrogen gas being formed around zinc granules.

(iv)If we touch the conical flask with our hand, we will find that it is somewhat hot. So, a change in temperature (rise in
temperature) also occurs in this chemical reaction.

The reaction occurs as follows:

Zn + H2SO4 →ZnSO4 + H2

2.Formation of a precipitate

The chemical reaction between lead nitrate and potassium iodide is characterized by the formation of a yellow precipitate of
lead iodide. We can carry out this chemical reaction as follows:

(i)Take some lead nitrate solution in a test-tube (or a beaker).

(ii)Add potassium iodide solution to it.

(iii)A yellow precipitate of lead iodide is formed at once.

(iv)A change in colour (from colourless to yellow) also takes place in this chemical reaction.

The reaction occurs as follows:

Pb(NO3)2 + 2KI →PbI2 + 2KNO3

Let us take another example of a chemical reaction in which a precipitate is formed. When dilute sulphuric acid is added to
barium chloride solution taken in a test-tube, then a white precipitate of barium sulphate is formed.

BaCl2 + H2SO4 →BaSO4 + 2HCl

3.Change in colour

(a)When lemon juice is added dropwise to potassium permanganate solution, the purple colour of potassium permanganate
disappears due to its reaction with citric acid present in lemon juice.

(b)When sulphur dioxide gas is passed through acidified potassium dichromate solution, then the orange colour of potassium
dichromate solution changes to green.

4.Change in temperature

The reaction between quicklime and water to form slaked lime is an exothermic reaction (which means heat producing
reaction). We can perform this chemical reaction as follows:

(i)Take a little of quicklime in a hard-glass beaker.

(ii)Add water to it slowly.

(iii)Touch the beaker carefully.

(iv)The beaker feels to be quite hot (Its temperature is high).

5.Change in State
The combustion reaction of candle wax is characterized by a change in state from solid to liquid and gas (because wax is a
solid, water formed by the combustion of wax is a liquid at room temperature whereas carbon dioxide produced by the
combustion of wax is a gas).

CHEMICAL EQUATIONS

The method of representing a chemical reaction with the help of symbols and formulae of the substances involved in it is
known as a chemical equation.

Zinc metal reacts with dilute sulphuric acid to form zinc sulphate and hydrogen gas. This reaction can be written in words as:

Zinc + Sulphuric acid →Zinc Sulphate + Hydrogen

This is known as the word equation.

Putting the symbols and formulae of all the substances in the above word equation, we get the following chemical equation:

Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2

The substances which combine or react are known as reactants. Zinc and Sulphuric acid are the reactants here.

The new substances produced in a reaction are known as products. Zinc sulphate and hydrogen are the products in this case.

The arrow pointing towards the right hand side is put between the reactants and products.

Thus, a chemical equation is a short-hand method of representing a chemical reaction.

Balancing of Chemical Equations

The process of making the number of different types of atoms equal on both the sides of an equation is called balancing of
equation.

Hydrogen burns in oxygen to form water. This reaction can be written in an equation form as:

H2 + O2 →H2O

The number of hydrogen atoms is equal on both the sides i.e. 2, but the number of oxygen atoms is unequal. There are 2
oxygen atoms on the left side but only 1 oxygen atom on the right side. To have 2 oxygen atoms on the right side, we multiply
H2O by 2 and write 2H2O, so that

H2 + O2 →H2O

Though the number of oxygen atoms has become equal (2 on both sides), but the number of hydrogen atoms has now
become unequal. There are 2 hydrogen atoms on the left side but 4 hydrogen atoms on the right side. To have 4 hydrogen
atoms on the left side, we multiply H2 by 2 and write 2H2, so that

2H2 + O2 →2H2O

This chemical equation contains an equal number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms on both the sides, so this is a balanced
equation.

To make equations more informative

The chemical equations can be made more informative in three ways:

1.The physical states of reactants and products are indicated by the symbols. For e.g. solid state is indicated by the symbol
(s), liquid state is indicated by the symbol (l), aqueous solution (solution made in water) is indicated by the symbol (aq) while
gaseous state is indicated by the symbol (g).
2.The heat changes in an equation are shown by writing heat or energy either on left or right hand side depending on the
type of reaction.

(a)Exothermic reaction- The reaction in which heat or energy is produced is called exothermic reaction.

For e.g.

Combustion reaction CH4 + 2O2 →CO2 + 2H2O+heat

Respiration reaction C6H12O6 + 6O2 →6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

The decomposition of vegetable matter into compost is also an example of exothermic reaction

Thus an exothermic reaction is indicated by writing “+heat” or “+energy” on the product side of an equation.

(b)Endothermic reaction- The reaction in which heat or energy is absorbed is called endothermic reaction.

For e.g.

Reaction between N2 and O2

When nitrogen and oxygen are heated to a very high temperature they combine to form nitrogen monoxide, and a lot of heat
is absorbed in this reaction.

N2 + O2 + heat → 2NO

Decomposition of calcium carbonate

CaCO3 + heat → CaO + CO2

All decomposition reactions are endothermic reactions.

Photosynthesis and electrolysis of water to form hydrogen and oxygen are also endothermic reactions.

Thus an endothermic reaction is indicated by writing “+heat” or “+energy” on the reactant side of an equation.

3.The conditions under which the reaction takes place such as catalyst, temperature and pressure are written either above or
below the arrow of the equation.

For e.g. manufacture of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen is carried out at 3000C and 300 atmospheric pressure
in the presence of mixture of zinc oxide and chromium oxide as a catalyst.

3000 𝐶 ,300 atm, ZnO + 𝐶𝑟𝑂3

Problems for practice

1.Write a balanced equation for the following reaction:

Methane burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water

2.Convey the following information in the form of a balanced chemical equation:

On adding an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide to an aqueous solution of copper sulphate, copper hydroxide is
precipitated and sodium sulphate remains in solution.

3.Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the following reaction:

Heated iron metal reacts with steam to form iron(II,III) oxide(Fe3O4) and hydrogen.

4.Write the balanced equation for the following chemical reaction:

5.Translate the following statement into chemical equation and then balance the equation:

Hydrogen gas combines with nitrogen to form ammonia.

6.Write the balanced chemical equation for the following reaction:

Sodium metal reacts with water to give sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.

7.Write a balanced chemical equation for the following chemical reaction:

Magnesium burns in oxygen to form magnesium oxide.

8.What happens chemically when quicklime is added to water filled in a bucket?

9.Why should magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air?

10.Translate the following statements into chemical equations and then balance the equations:

(a)Hydrogen sulphide gas burns in air to give water and sulphur dioxide.

(b)Phosphorous burns in oxygen to give phosphorous pentoxide.

(c)Carbon disulphide burns in air to give carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.

(d)Aluminium metal replaces iron from ferric oxide, Fe2O3, giving aluminium oxide and iron.

(e)Barium chloride reacts with zinc sulphate to give zinc chloride and barium sulphate.

11.Writhe the balanced chemical equations for the following reactions:

(a)Calcium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide → Calcium carbonate + water

(b)Aluminium + Copper chloride → Aluminium chloride + Copper

12.Complete and balance the following equations:

(a)NaOH + ___________ → Na2SO4 + H2O

(b)Ca(OH)2 + __________ → CaCO3 + H2O

13.Write complete balanced equations for the following reactions:

(a)Calcium + Water →Calcium hydroxide + Hydrogen

(b)Sulphur dioxide + Oxygen → Sulphur trioxide

14.Balance the following equations:

(i)Na + O2 →Na2O

(ii)H2O2 →H2O + O2

(iii)Mg(OH)2 + HCl → MgCl2 + H2O

(iv)Fe + O2 →Fe2O3

(v)Al(OH)3 →Al2O3 + H2O

(vi)NH3 + CuO → Cu + N2 + H2O

(viii)NaOH + H2SO4 →Na2SO4 + H2O

(ix)HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 →Ca(NO3)2 + H2O

(x)BaCl2 + H2SO4 →BaSO4 + HCl

15.(a)Aluminium hydroxide reacts with sulphuric acid to form aluminium sulphate and water. Write a balanced equation for
this reaction.

(b)Balance the following chemical equation:

MnO2 + HCl →MnCl2 + H2O + Cl2

16.Translate the following statement into chemical equation and then balance it:

Barium chloride solution reacts with aluminium sulphate solution to form a precipitate of barium sulphate and aluminium
chloride solution.

17.When potassium nitrate is heated, it decomposes into potassium nitrite and oxygen. Write a balanced equation for this
reaction and add the state symbols of the reactants and products.

18.You are given the solution of led nitrate. In order to obtain a yellow precipitate you should mix with it a solution of

(a)Potassium chloride (b)Potassium nitride (c)Potassium sulphide (d)Potassium iodide

19.An acid which can decolourise purple coloured potassium permanganate solution is

(a)Sulphuric acid (b)Citric acid (c)Carbonic acid (d)Hydrochloric acid

20.The chemical reaction between two substances is characterized by a change in colour from orange to green. These two
substances are most likely to be

(a)potassium dichromate solution and sulphur dioxide

(b)potassium permanganate solution and sulphur dioxide

(c)potassium permanganate solution and lemon juice

(d)potassium dichromate solution and carbon dioxide.

21.One of the following is an endothermic reaction. This is

(a)combination of carbon and oxygen to form carbon monoxide

(b)combination of nitrogen and oxygen to form nitrogen monoxide

(c)combination of glucose and oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water

(d)combination of zinc and hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen.

22.One of the following is an exothermic reaction. This is

(a)Electrolysis of water (b)Conversion of limestone into quicklime

(c)Process of respiration (d)process of photosynthesis

23.When the solution of substance X is added to a solution of potassium iodide, then a yellow solid separates out from the
solution.
(a)What do you think substance X is likely to be?

(b)Name the substance which the yellow solid consists of.

(c)Which characteristic of chemical reactions is illustrated by this example?

(d)Write balanced chemical equation for the reaction which takes place. Mention the physical states of all the reactants and
products involved in the chemical equation.

24.When water is added gradually to a white solid X, a hissing sound is heard and a lot of heat is produced forming a product
Y. A suspension of Y in water is applied to the walls of a house during white washing. A clear solution of Y is also used for
testing carbon dioxide gas in the laboratory.

(a)What could be solid X? Write its chemical formula.

(b)What could be product Y? Write its chemical formula.

(c)Write the common name of the solution of Y which is used for testing carbon dioxide gas?

(d)Write chemical equation of the reaction which takes place on adding water to solid X.

(e)Which characteristic of chemical reactions is illustrated by this example?

25.When metal X is treated with a dilute acid Y, then a gas Z is evolved which burns rapidly by making a little explosion.

(a)Name any two metals which can behave like metal X.

(b)Name any two acids which can behave like acid Y.

(c)Name the gas Z.

(d)Is the gas Z lighter than or heavier than air?

(e)Is the reaction between metal X and dilute acid Y exothermic or endothermic?

(f)By taking a specific example of metal X and dilute acid Y, write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction which takes
place. Also indicate physical states of all the reactants and products.

26.A solid substance P which is very hard is used in the construction of many buildings, especially flooring. When substance P
is heated strongly, it decomposes to form another solid Q and a gas R is given out. Solid Q reacts with water with the release
of a lot of heat to form a substance S. When gas R is passed into a clear solution of substance S, then a white precipitate of
substance T is formed. The substance T has the same chemical composition as starting substance P.

(a)What is substance P? Write its common name as well as chemical formula.

(b)What is substance Q?

(c)What is gas R?

(d)What is substance S? What is its clear solution known as?

(e)What is substance T? Name any two natural forms in which substance T occurs in nature.

27.A silvery-white metal X taken in the form of ribbon, when ignited, burns in air with a dazzling white flame to form a white
powder Y. When water is added to powder Y, it dissolves partially to form another substance Z.

(a)What could metal X be?

(b)What is powder Y?
(c)With which substance metal X combines to form powder Y?

(d)What is substance Z? Name one domestic use of substance Z.

(e)Write a balanced chemical equation of the reaction which takes place when metal X burns in air to form powder Y.