Chapter 1 - Chemical Reactions and Equations
Introduction:
Chemical reactions are the processes in which new substances with new properties are
formed.
1. The substances which take part in a chemical reaction are called reactants.
2. The new substances produced as a result of chemical reaction are called products.
3. In a chemical reaction, reactants are transformed into products.
4. The burning of magnesium in air to form magnesium oxide is an example of a
chemical reaction.
.
5. The magnesium ribbon starts burning with a dazzling whit flame.
Note: Before burning in air, the magnesium ribbon is cleaned by rubbing with a sand paper.
This is done to remove the protective layer of basic magnesium carbonate from the surface
of magnesium ribbon so that it may readily combine with the oxygen of air.
Characteristics of Chemical reactions:
The important characteristics of chemical reactions are:
1. Evolution of a gas
2. Formation of a precipitate
3. Change in colour
4. Change in temperature
5. Change in state
Evolution of a Gas: The chemical reaction between zinc and dilute sulphuric acid is
characterized by the evolution of hydrogen gas.
Formation of a precipitate: A precipitate is a ‘solid product’ which separates out from the
solution during a chemical reaction.
The chemical between potassium iodide and lead nitrate is characterized by the formation
of a yellow precipitate of lead iodide.
2 KI + Pb(NO3)2 PbI2 (ppt) + 2KNO3
Change in colour:
The chemical reaction between citric acid and purple coloured potassium permanganate
solution is characterized by a change in colour from purple to colourless.
Change in temperature:
The chemical reaction between quicklime and water to form slaked lime is characterized by
a change in temperature.
Change in state:
When wax is burned (in the form of wax candle),then water and carbon dioxide are formed.
Now, wax is a liquid whereas carbon dioxide is a gas. This means that during the
combustion reaction of wax, the physical state changes from solid to liquid and 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.
Balanced and unbalanced chemical equations:
A balanced chemical equation has an equal number of atoms of different elements in the
reactants and products.
Zinc metal reacts with dilute sulphuric acid to form zinc sulphate and hydrogen gas.
Count the number of atoms of all the elements in the reactants and products separately.
In reactants In products
No. of Zn atoms 1 1
No. of H atoms 2 2
No. of S atoms 1 1
No. of O atoms 4 4
There are an equal number of atoms of different elements in the reactants and
products, so the above chemical equation is a balanced equation.
An unbalanced chemical equation has an unequal number of atoms of one or more
elements in the reactants and products.
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to form water
Count the number of atoms of all the elements in the reactants and products separately.
In reactants In products
No. of H atoms 2 2
No. of O atoms 2 1
The above chemical equation contains an unequal number of oxygen atoms in reactants
and products, so it is an unbalanced equation.
Types of chemical reactions:
Some of the important types of chemical reactions are:
1. Combination reactions
2. Decomposition reaction
3. Displacement reactions
4. Double displacement reactions
5. Oxidation and Reduction reactions
A. Combination reactions: Those reactions, in which two or more substances
combine to form a single substance, are called combination reactions.
In a combination reaction, two or more elements can combine to form a compound; two or
more compounds can combine to form a new compound; or an element and a compound
can combine to form a new compound.
Examples:
Hydrogen burns in oxygen to form water:
In this reaction, two elements, hydrogen and oxygen are combining to form single
compound water, so this is an example of a combination.
Ammonia reacts with hydrogen chloride to form ammonium chloride.
In this reaction, two compounds, ammonia and hydrogen chloride, combine
together to produce a new compound ammonium chloride. So, this is a combination
reaction.
Carbon monoxide reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
In this reaction, carbon dioxide compound reacts with oxygen element to form a
new compound, carbon dioxide. So, this is a combination reaction.
B. Decomposition reactions: Those reactions in which a compound splits up into two
or more simpler substances are known as decomposition reactions. The
decomposition reactions are carried out by applying heat, light or electricity.
Example: When calcium carbonate is heated, it decomposes to give calcium oxide
and carbon dioxide:
In this reaction, one substance, calcium carbonate is breaking up into two simpler
substances, calcium oxide and carbon dioxide, so this is a decomposition reaction.
1. When a decomposition reaction is carried out by heating, it is called ‘thermal
decomposition’.
Example: When lead nitrate is heated strongly, it breaks down to form simpler
substances like lead monoxide, nitrogen oxide and oxygen.
2. Some decomposition reactions are carried out by using electricity.
Example: When electric current is passed through acidified water, it decomposes to
give hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
This decomposition
reaction takes place by the action of electricity. It is called electrolysis of water.
3. Some decomposition reactions are carried out by light energy.
Example: When silver chloride is exposed to light, it decomposes to form silver
metal and chlorine gas.
Uses of Decomposition reactions:
The decomposition reactions carried out by electricity are used to extract several
metals from their naturally occurring compounds like chlorides and oxides.
For example, sodium metal is extracted by the electrolysis of molten aluminum
oxide.
Decomposition reactions in our body:
The digestion of food in the body is an example of decomposition reaction.
When we eat foods like wheat, rice or potatoes, then the starch present in them
decomposes to give simple sugar like glucose in the body; and protein decompose to
form amino acids.
C. Displacement reactions: Those reactions, in which one element takes the place of
another element in a compound, are known as displacement reactions. In general, a
more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound.
Examples:
1. When as strip of zinc metal is placed in copper sulphate solution, then zinc
sulphate solution and copper are obtained.
In this reaction, zinc displaces copper from copper sulphate compound so
that copper is free. This displacement reaction takes place because zinc is
more reactive than copper.
2. When a piece of iron metal (or iron nail) is placed in copper sulphate
solution, then iron sulphate solution and copper metal are formed.
In this reaction, iron displaces copper from copper sulphate solution. The
deep blue colour of copper sulphate solution fades due to the formation of
green solution of iron sulphate. A red-brown coating (or layer) of copper
metal is formed on the surface of iron metal (or iron nail).This displacement
reaction takes place because iron is more reactive than copper.
D. Double Displacement reactions:
Those reactions, in which two compounds react by an exchange of ions to form two
new compounds, are called double displacement reactions.
Example:
When barium chloride solution is added to sodium sulphate solution, then a white
precipitate of barium sulphate is formed along with sodium chloride solution.
In this reaction, two compounds barium chloride and sodium sulphate react to form
two new compounds, barium sulphate and sodium chloride. An exchange of ions
takes place in this reaction.
In this reaction, barium sulphate is formed as a white, insoluble solid called
precipitate which separates out suddenly from the solution.
Note: any reaction in which an insoluble solid called precipitate is formed that separates
from the solution is called a precipitation reaction.
E. Oxidation and Reduction reactions:
Oxidation:
a. The addition of oxygen to a substance is called oxidation.
b. The removal of hydrogen from a substance is called oxidation.
Reduction:
a. The addition of hydrogen to a substance is called reduction.
b. The removal of oxygen from a substance is called reduction.
Redox reaction:
The oxidation and reduction reactions are also called redox reactions.
Example:
When copper oxide is heated with hydrogen, then copper metal and water are formed.
In the above reaction, copper oxide (CuO) is changing into copper (Cu), so copper oxide is
being reduced to copper. Hydrogen is changing into water (H2O), so hydrogen is being
oxidized to water.
Copper oxide is giving oxygen required for the oxidation of hydrogen, therefore, copper
oxide is oxidizing agent and hydrogen is reducing agent.
Effect of oxidation reactions in everyday life:
Oxidation has damaging effect on metals as well as on food. There are two common effects
of oxidation reactions which we observe in daily. These are:
a) Corrosion of metals:
Corrosion is the process in which metals are eaten up gradually by the action of air,
moisture or a chemical (such as an acid) on their surface.
Corrosion is caused mainly by the oxidation of metals by oxygen of air. Rusting of
iron metal is the most common form of corrosion.
During the corrosion of iron (rusting of iron), iron metal is oxidized by the oxygen of air in
the presence of water (moisture) to form hydrated iron (III) oxide called rust.
Corrosion weakens the iron and steel objects and structures such as
railings, car bodies, bridges and ships, etc., and cuts short their life.
2. Rancidity:
When the fats and oils present in food materials get oxidized by the oxygen (of air), their
oxidation products have unpleasant smell and taste.
The condition produced by aerial oxidation of fats and oils in foods marked by unpleasant
smell and taste is called rancidity.
Rancidity spoils the food materials prepared in fats and oils which have been kept for a
considerable time and make them unfit for eating.
a) Rancidity can be prevented by adding anti-oxidants to foods containing fats
and oils:
Anti-oxidant is a substance (or chemical) which prevents oxidation. Anti-oxidants
are actually reducing agent.
The two common anti-oxidants used in foods to prevent the development of
rancidity are BHA (Butylated Hydroxy – Anisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxy-
Toluene).
b) Rancidity can be prevented by packaging fats and oils containing foods in
nitrogen gas:
When the packed is surrounded by unreactive gas nitrogen, there is no oxygen to
cause its oxidation and make it rancid.
The manufacturers of potato chips fill the plastic bags containing chips with
nitrogen gas.
c) Rancidity can be retarded by keeping food in a refrigerator.
d) Rancidity can be retarded by storing food in air-tight containers.
e) Rancidity can be retarded by storing food away from light.
NCERT In Text Solution
Q1. Write the balanced equation for the following chemical reactions.
1. Hydrogen + Chlorine ⇨ Hydrogen Chloride
Answer:
H2 + Cl2 ⇨ 2HCl
2. Barium chloride + Aluminium sulphate ⇨ Barium sulphate + Aluminium
chloride
Answer:
3BaCl+ Al2(SO4 )3 ⇨ 3BaSO4 + 2AlCl3
3. Sodium + Water ⇨ Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen
Answer:
2Na + 2H2O ⇨ 2NaOH + H2
Q2. Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the following reactions.
1. Solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulphate in water react to give
insoluble barium sulphate and the solution of sodium chloride.
Answer:
BaCl2 (aq) + Na2SO4 ⇨ BaSO4 (s) + 2NaCl (aq)
2. Sodium hydroxide solution (in water) reacts with hydrochloric acid solution
(in water) to produce sodium chloride solution and water.
Answer:
NaOH (aq) + HCl ⇨ NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)
Q3. A solution of a substance ‘X’ is used for white washing.
a. Name the substance ‘X’ and write its formula.
Answer: The chemical name of substance, which is used for white
washing is Calcium oxide. Its common name is lime or quick lime.
The chemical formula of Calcium Oxide is CaO.
b. Write the reaction of the substance ‘X’ named in (i) above with
water.
Answer:
CaO + H2O ⇨ Ca(OH)2
When calcium oxide reacts with water it forms calcium hydroxide.
Calcium hydroxide is also known as slaked lime.
Q4. Why is the amount of gas collected in one of the test tubes in Activity 1.7
double of the amount collected in the other? Name this gas.
Answer: (Hydrolysis of water has been performed in the activity 1.7 in the text
book.) When electric current is passed through water it decomposes into its
constituent components, i.e. hydrogen and oxygen gases. During electrolysis of
water hydrogen gas collected in one test tube and has double amount than oxygen
collected in another test tube. This is because a water molecule is formed by the
combination of hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2:1.
Q5. Why does the colour of copper sulphate solution change when an iron nail is
dipped in it?
Answer: The colour of copper sulphate solution is blue. When an iron nail is
dipped in the solution of copper sulphate, it forms ferrous sulphate solution and
copper metal by the displacement of copper from the solution. The colour of
ferrous sulphate is green. That’s why the solution becomes green.
Q6. Give an example of a double displacement reaction other than the one given
inActivity 1.10.
Answer: When lead nitrate reacts with potassium iodide, potassium nitrate and
lead iodide is formed. In this reaction the both the reactants exchanges their irons
after reaction. This type of reaction is known as double displacement reaction.
Pb(NO3 )2 (aq) + KI (aq) ⇨ KNO3 + PbI2
Q7. Identify the substances that are oxidised and the substances that are reduced in the
following reactions.
a. 4Na (s) + O2 (g) ⇨ 2NaO (s)
Answer: In this reaction sodium is combined with oxygen, i.e. gains oxygen
and hence oxidized. Consequently oxygen is reduced.
b. CuO (s) + H2 (g) ⇨ Cu (s) + H2O (l)
Answer: In this reaction Hydrogen gains oxygen and forms water, hence it
is oxidised. On the other hand copper loses oxygen and hence, reduced
NCERT Exercise Solution
Q1. Which of the statements about the reaction below are incorrect?
2PbO (s) + C (s) ⇨ 2PbS (s) + CO2 (g)
a. Lead is getting reduced.
b. Carbon dioxide is getting oxidised.
c. Carbon is getting oxidised.
d. Lead oxide is getting reduced.
1. a and b
2. a and c
3. a, b and c
4. All
Answer: (1) a and b
Q2. The following reaction is an example of:
Fe2O3 + 2Al ⇨ Al2O3 + 2Fe
a. Combination reaction
b. Double displacement reaction
c. Decomposition reaction
d. Displacement reaction
Answer: (d) Displacement reaction
Q3. What happens when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to iron fillings? Tick the
correct answer.
a. Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced
b. Chlorine gas and iron hydroxide are produced
c. No reaction takes place
d. Iron salt and water are produced
Answer: (a) Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced
Q4. What is a balanced chemical equation? Why should chemical equations be balanced?
Answer: When the number of atoms of reactants is equal to the number of atoms of the
products, the reaction is called a balanced chemical equation. According to the Law of
conservation of mass, total mass of the elements present in the reactants must be equal to
the total mass of the elements present in products. That’s why a chemical equation should
be balanced always
Q5. Translate the following statements into chemical equations and then balance
them.
a. Hydrogen gas combines with nitrogen to form ammonia.
b. Hydrogen sulphide gas burns in air to give water and sulpur dioxide.
c. Barium chloride reacts with aluminium sulphate to give aluminium
chloride and a precipitate of barium sulphate.
d. Potassium metal reacts with water to give potassium hydroxide and
hydrogen gas.
Answer:
(a) 3H2 + N2 ⇨ 2NH3
(b) 2H2S + 3O2 ⇨ 2H2O + 2SO2
(c) 3BaCl2 + Al2(SO4 )3 ⇨ 2AlCl3 + 3BaSO4
(d) 3K + 2H2O ⇨ 2KOH + H2
Q6. Balance the following chemical equation.
(a)HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 => Ca(NO3)2 +H2O
(b) NaOH + H2SO4 => Na2SO4+H2O
(c) NaCl + AgNO4 => AgCl + NaNO3
(d) BaCl2 + H2SO4 => BaSO4 + HCl
Answer
(a) 2HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 => Ca(NO3)2 + 2H2O
(b) 2NaOH + H2SO4 => Na2SO4 + H 2O
(c) NaCl + AgNO3 => AgCl + NaNO3
(d) BaCl2 + H2SO 4 => BaSO4 + 2HCl
Q7. Write the balanced chemical equations for the following reactions.
(a) Calcium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide ® Calcium carbonate + Water
(b) Zinc + Silver nitrate ® Zinc nitrate + Silver
(c) Aluminium + Copper chloride ® Aluminium chloride + Copper
(d) Barium chloride + Potassium sulphate ® Barium sulphate + Potassium chloride
Answer:
(a) Ca(OH)2+ CO2-> CaCO3+H2O
(b) Zn + 2AgNO3 -> Zn(NO3)3 + 2Ag
(c) 2Al + 3CuCl2 -> 2AlCl3 + 3Cu
(d) BaCl2 +K2SO4 -> BaSO4 +2KCl
Q8. Write the balanced chemical equation for the following and identify the type of
reaction in each case.
a. Potassium bromide(aq) + Barium iodide(aq) → Potassium iodide(aq) +
Barium bromide(s)
b. Zinc carbonate(s) → Zinc oxide(s) + Carbon dioxide(g)
c. Hydrogen(g) + Chlorine(g) → Hydrogen chloride(g)
d. Magnesium(s) + Hydrochloric acid(aq) → Magnesium chloride(aq) +
Hydrogen(g)
Answer:
(a) 2KBr (aq) + BaI2 (aq) ⇨ 2KI (aq) + BaBr2 (s)
It is a double displacement reaction.
(b) ZnCO3 (s) ⇨ ZnO (s) + CO2 (g)
It is a decomposition reaction.
(c) H2 (g) + Cl2 (g) ⇨ 2HCl
It is a combination reaction.
(d) Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) ⇨ MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
It is a displacement reaction.
Q9. What does one mean by exothermic and endothermic reactions? Give examples.
Answer: Exothermic reaction: A reaction in which heat is released is called the
exothermic reaction.
Example: Burning of fuel is an example of exothermic reaction. When methane is burnt it
gives heat along with carbon dioxide and water.
CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g)⇨ CO2 (g) + 2H2O
Endothermic reaction: A reaction in which heat is absorbed is called endothermic
reaction.
Example: When silver chloride is left in the sunlight, it absorbs heat and turns grey
because of formation of silver metal.
2AgCl (s) ⇨ 2Ag (s) + Cl2 (g)
Q10. Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction? Explain.
Answer: In the course of respiration glucose is broken into carbon dioxide and energy is
released. That’s why it is considered as an exothermic reaction.
C6H12O6 (aq) + 6O2 (g) ⇨ 6CO2 (aq) + 6H2O (l) + Energy
Q11. Why are decomposition reactions called the opposite of combination reactions?
Write equations for these reactions.
Answer: In a combination reaction two or more substances are combined to form new
substance while in the decomposition reaction one substance decomposes into two or
more substances. Hence, the decomposition reactions are called opposite of
combination reactions.
CaCO3 (s) ⇨ CaO (s) + CO2 (g) Decomposition reaction
H2 (g) + Cl2 ⇨ 2HCl (g) Combination reaction
Q12. Write one equation each for decomposition reactions where energy is supplied in
the form of heat, light or electricity.
Answer: CaCO3 (s) ⇨ CaO (s) + CO2 (g)
In this reaction energy is supplied in the form of heat.
2AgCl (s) + sunlight ⇨ 2Ag (s) + Cl2 (g)
In this reaction energy is supplied in the form of light, i.e. sunlight
2H2O (l) + electricity ⇨ 2H2 + O2
In this reaction energy is supplied in the form of electricity.
Q13. What is the difference between displacement and double displacement reactions?
Write equations for these reactions.
Answer: When a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its salt
solution, then it is called displacement reaction. While there is an exchange of ions
between the reactants to produce new substances, it is called double displacement
reaction.
In displacement reaction one displacement takes place. While in double displacement
reaction two displacements takes place. Following are examples of displacement reaction
and double displacement reaction.
Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) ⇨ MgCl2 + H2 (g)
2KBr (aq) + BaCl2 ⇨ 2KCl (aq) + BaBr2 (s)
Q14. In the refining of silver, the recovery of silver from silver nitrate solution involved
displacement by copper metal. Write down the reaction involved.
Answer: 2AgNO3 (aq) + Cu (s) ⇨ Cu(NO3 )2 (l) + 2Ag (s)
Q15. What do you mean by a precipitation reaction? Explain by giving examples.
Answer: Reactions in which precipitate is formed are called precipitation reactions.
Generally in a precipitation reaction insoluble salts are settled down as precipitate.
Na2SO4 (aq) + BaCl2 (aq) ⇨ 2NaCl (aq) + BaSO4 (s)
In the above reaction, when sodium sulphate reacts with barium chloride, the white
precipitate of barium sulphate is formed along with the sodium chloride.
Q16. Explain the following: (a) Oxidation (b) Reduction
Answer: Oxidation: When a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen during a reaction,
it is called that the substance is oxidized. This phenomenon is called oxidation. In the
following reaction, copper gets oxygen and hence is oxidised.
2Cu + O2 + Heat ⇨ 2CuO
CuO + H2 + Heat ⇨ Cu + H2O
In the above reaction hydrogen gains oxygen, and hence oxidized.
Reduction: If a substance loses oxygen or gains hydrogen during a reaction, it is that the
substance is reduced. This phenomenon is called reduction. In the following reaction zinc
loses oxygen, and hence called is reduced.
ZnO + C ⇨ Zn + CO
MnO2 + 4HCl ⇨ MnCl2 + 2H2O + Cl2
In this reaction Manganese dioxide loses oxygen and hence is called reduced.
Q17. A shiny brown coloured element ‘X’ on heating in air becomes black in colour.
Name the element ‘X’ and the black coloured compound formed.
Answer: Copper is a brown coloured shiny element, when heated in air, it becomes
black in colour.
2Cu + O2 + Heat ⇨ 2CuO
Hence, the element ‘X’ is copper and black coloured compound formed is copper oxide.
Q18. Why do we apply paint on iron articles?
Answer: When articles made of iron come in contact with the moisture present in air, it
forms iron oxide, which is known as rust. Hence, to prevent an iron article to come in
contact with moisture present in air paint is applied. Paint prevents the iron to get
rusted.
Q19. Oil and fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen. Why?
Answer: When fats and oils are oxidised, they become rancid and their smell and taste
change. Hence, food items containing oil and fat are flushed with nitrogen which
prevents them to get oxidized and becoming rancid.
Q20. Explain the following terms with one example each:
(a) Corrosion (b) Rancidity
Answer:
a) Corrosion - Metals react with oxygen which is present in the atmospheric
moisture. This leads to the formation of metal oxides. In due course of time, the
metal keeps on changing into its oxide and finally the whole metal is lost due to
oxidation. This process is called corrosion.
Example: Iron articles; like iron gates or bridges tend to rust because of oxidation by
atmospheric moisture. We know that rust is nothing but iron oxide. Conversion of iron
into rust leads to corrosion of the iron articles. Due to this, the iron articles weaken and
finally wither away.
b) Rancidity: When fats and oils are oxidised, their smell and taste change. This
process is called rancidity. Oily food often become rancid and starts giving out
obnoxious smell. The taste also becomes bad. Such oily food is not fit for eating.
Example: When packets of potato chips or other oily snacks are kept open for a long
time; their taste and smell become bad. The oily food is no longer safe to eat.