Chemical Reactions and Equation Class 10 Science Notes

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  • Chemical Reaction:  It is a process in which reactants reacts to form products.
        Zn     +        H2SO4          →         ZnSO4         +        H2
     (Zinc)         (Sulphuric acid)          (Zinc Sulphate)       (Hydrogen)
               [Reactants]                                            [Products]

  • Chemical Equation:
    • A symbolic representation of chemical reaction in form of formula or symbol.
                                                                                         Direction of Reaction
          2H2(g)       +      O2(g)                       →                     2H2O(g)
       (Hydrogen)         (Oxygen)                                                   (Water)
      [Reactant on Left Side]                                         [Product on Right Side]
    • Physical states of compounds are indicated by:
      State Denoted by
      Gaseous State (g)
      Liquid State (l)
      Solid State (s)
      Aqueous State (aq)
      Precipitate
  • Skeletal Chemical Equation:  A chemical equation which represents reaction in terms of formula and symbols.
             Mg            +          O2         →        MgO
     (Magnesium)         (Oxygen)                (Magnesium Oxide)
  • Balanced Chemical Equation:  A chemical equation in which number of atoms of element on reactant side is equal to number of atoms in product side.
         2Mg     +      O2          →            2MgO
    Atoms of Reactant Side = Atoms of Product Side
            [Mg=2, O=2]                            [Mg=2, O=2]

    • Steps for balancing chemical equation:
      1. Unbalanced equation:
             Mg     +      O2          →        MgO
      2. Start balancing with compound containing maximum number of atoms.
             Mg     +      O2          →        2MgO
      3. Balance untill atoms of elements in reactant, becomes equal to atoms of elements in product.
             2Mg     +      O2          →        2MgO
      4. Provide with physical state.
             2Mg(s)     +      O2(g)          →        2MgO(s)
      5. Indicate reaction condition above or below the arrow.
  • Types of Chemical Reaction:
    1. Combination reaction:  Two or more reactants combines to form single product.
          C(s)         +         O2(g)          →        CO2(g)
       (Carbon)         (Oxygen)                      (Carbon Dioxide)
                [Reactants]                               [Single Product]

    2. Exothermic Reaction:  Heat is evolved during reaction.  e.g.  Burning of Natural Gas is exothermic reaction.
          CH4(g)      +      2O2(g)          →             CO2(g)              +       2H2O(g)
       (Methane)            (Oxygen)                   (Carbon Dioxide)                (Water)

    3. Decomposition Reaction:  Single substance decomposes to form two or more products.
                                                                  Heat
          2FeSO4(s)                →           Fe2O3(s)        +          SO2(g)            +          SO3(g)
      (Ferrous Sulfate)                         (Ferric Oxide)          (Sulfur Dioxide)        (Sulfur Trioxide)
      [Single Substance]                                           [Two or more products]

    4. Thermal Decomposition Reaction:  Decomposition reaction carried out in presence of heat.
                                                       Heat
          CaCO3(s)          →           CaO(s)        +          CO2(g)
        (Limestone)                         (Quicklime)          (Carbon Dioxide)

    5. Endothermic Reaction:  Heat is absorbed during reaction.
                                                         Sunlight
            2AgCl(s)             →           2Ag(s)        +        Cl2(g)
      (Silver Chloride)                         (Silver)              (Chlorine Gas)

    6. Displacement Reaction:  One element displaces another element from its compound.
        Fe(s)     +       CuSO4(aq)            →             FeSO4(aq)       +       Cu(s)
       (Iron)           (Copper Sulphate)                    (Iron Sulphate)             (Copper)

    7. Double Displacement Reaction:  Two different atoms or groups of atoms are exchanged during the reaction.
            Na2SO4(aq)         +         BaCl2(aq)                →          BaSO4(s)              +          2NaCl(aq)
      (Sodium Sulphate)           (Barium Chloride)                    (Barium Sulphate)             (Sodium Chloride)

    8. Precipitation Reaction:  Reaction involving formation of precipitate.
            Na2SO4(aq)         +         BaCl2(aq)                →         BaSO4(s)   ↓          +          2NaCl(aq)
      (Sodium Sulphate)           (Barium Chloride)                    (Barium Sulphate)             (Sodium Chloride)

    9. Oxidation Reaction:  Gain of Oxygen or Loss of Hydrogen.
                                                                             Heat
          2Cu       +         O2          →          2CuO
       (Copper)        (Oxygen)                (Copper Oxide)

    10. Reduction Reaction:  Gain of Hydrogen or Loss of Oxygen.
                 CuO           +           H2             →          Cu          +       H2O
       (Copper Oxide)        (Hydrogen)                   (Copper)             (Water)

    11. Redox Reaction:  Oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously, where, one reactant get oxidised while other reactant get reduced.

  • Effects of oxidation:
    1. Corrosion:  Rusting of metals due to corrosive substances (moisture in air, acids, etc). It can be prevented by painting metal surfaces.
    2. Rancidity:  Oxidation of fats and oils that changes their taste and smell. It can be prevented by adding antioxidants to substance containing oils and fats.