Class 10 Science
Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations
Board CBSE Subject Science (Chemistry)
Class 10th Chapter 1 — Chemical Reactions & Equations
1. Chemical Reactions
1.1 What is a Chemical Reaction?
A chemical reaction is a process in which one or more substances (reactants) are converted into one or
more different substances (products). During a chemical reaction, bonds between atoms are broken and
new bonds are formed.
1.2 Characteristics / Signs of a Chemical Reaction
• Change in colour (e.g., iron rusting turns reddish-brown)
• Evolution of a gas (e.g., CO2 gas released when acid reacts with marble)
• Change in temperature — heat released (exothermic) or absorbed (endothermic)
• Formation of precipitate (insoluble solid in solution)
• Change in state (solid → gas, etc.)
■■ Important: A change in physical state alone (like melting ice) is NOT a chemical reaction.
2. Chemical Equations
2.1 Word Equation
A word equation represents a chemical reaction using the names of reactants and products.
Example:
Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium Oxide
2.2 Skeletal Chemical Equation
Reactants and products are represented by their chemical formulae, but may be unbalanced.
Mg + O2 → MgO (unbalanced)
2.3 Balanced Chemical Equation
A balanced equation has equal numbers of atoms of each element on both sides (Law of Conservation of
Mass).
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO (balanced)
2.4 State Symbols used in Equations
Symbol State Example
(s) Solid Mg(s)
(l) Liquid H<sub>2</sub>O(l)
(g) Gas CO<sub>2</sub>(g)
(aq) Aqueous solution (dissolved in water) NaCl(aq)
3. Types of Chemical Reactions
3.1 Combination Reaction
Two or more substances combine to form a single product. A + B → AB
• 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s) — magnesium burns in oxygen
• CaO(s) + H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq) — quicklime + water → slaked lime
• C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
3.2 Decomposition Reaction
A single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. AB → A + B
• 2FeSO4(s) → Fe2O3(s) + SO2(g) + SO3(g) — ferrous sulphate decomposition
• 2Pb(NO3)2(s) → 2PbO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
• 2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g) — electrolytic decomposition of water
Type of Decomposition Energy Source Example
Thermal decomposition Heat CaCO<sub>3</sub> → CaO + CO<sub>2</sub>
Electrolytic decomposition Electricity 2H<sub>2</sub>O → 2H<sub>2</sub> + O<sub>2</sub>
Photochemical decomposition Light 2AgCl → 2Ag + Cl<sub>2</sub>
3.3 Displacement Reaction
A more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound. A + BC → AC + B
• Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s) — iron displaces copper
• Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
3.4 Double Displacement Reaction
Ions of two compounds exchange places to form two new compounds. Often involves precipitate
formation.
• Na2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) → BaSO4(s)↓ + 2NaCl(aq)
• AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) → AgCl(s)↓ + NaNO3(aq)
3.5 Oxidation and Reduction (Redox Reactions)
Oxidation Reduction
Gain of oxygen Loss of oxygen
Loss of hydrogen Gain of hydrogen
Loss of electrons Gain of electrons
• CuO + H2 → Cu + H2O
– CuO is reduced (loses oxygen) → Oxidising agent
– H2 is oxidised (gains oxygen) → Reducing agent
4. Effects of Oxidation in Everyday Life
4.1 Corrosion
Corrosion is the process in which metals are eaten away due to reaction with moisture, acids, or other
substances in the environment.
• Iron → rust (Fe2O3·xH2O) — reddish-brown layer
• Copper → greenish layer of copper carbonate (Cu(OH)2·CuCO3)
• Silver → blackens due to Ag2S formation
4.2 Rancidity
Oxidation of fats and oils in food leads to rancidity — the food gets a bad smell and taste.
• Prevention methods:
– Adding antioxidants (e.g., BHA, BHT) to packaged food
– Flushing packets with nitrogen gas (chips packets)
– Storing food in airtight containers / refrigeration
5. How to Balance a Chemical Equation
Steps (Hit-and-Trial / Inspection Method):
Step 1: Write the skeletal (unbalanced) equation with correct formulae.
Step 2: Count atoms of each element on both sides.
Step 3: Add suitable coefficients in front of formulae to balance atoms. Do NOT change formulae.
Step 4: Start balancing the element that appears least number of times, leaving H and O for last.
Step 5: Verify: count all atoms again to confirm balance.
Step 6: Add state symbols (s), (l), (g), (aq).
Example: Balance Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) → Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g)
6. Quick Revision Table
Reaction Type General Form Key Example
Combination A + B → AB 2Mg + O<sub>2</sub> → 2MgO
Decomposition AB → A + B 2H<sub>2</sub>O → 2H<sub>2</sub> + O<sub>2</sub>
Displacement A + BC → AC + B Fe + CuSO<sub>4</sub> → FeSO<sub>4</sub> + Cu
Double Displacement → AD + CB
AB + CDNa<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> + BaCl<sub>2</sub> → BaSO<sub>4</sub>↓ + 2Na
Redox Oxidation + Reduction CuO + H<sub>2</sub> → Cu + H<sub>2</sub>O
Exothermic Releases heat Burning of natural gas
Endothermic Absorbs heat Cooking of food, photosynthesis
7. Important Points to Remember
★ Law of Conservation of Mass: Mass of reactants = Mass of products in any chemical reaction.
★ A balanced equation represents the actual ratio of moles of reactants and products.
★ Exothermic reactions release energy; endothermic reactions absorb energy.
★ Precipitation reactions involve formation of an insoluble product (precipitate).
★ Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
★ Respiration is an exothermic reaction: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
★ An oxidising agent gets reduced; a reducing agent gets oxidised.
★ Chips packets are flushed with N2 to prevent rancidity (oxidation).
Class 10 Science | Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations | CBSE Notes