C4: Chemical reactions

C4.01 Chemical reactions and equations

 4 ways to tell a chemical reaction has occurred  4 state symbols to write next to the formulae
i. A color change i. (s) solid
ii. Formation of a precipitate ii. (l) liquid – for H2O
iii. Formation of a gas iii. (g) gas
iv. Temperature changes iv. (aq) aqueous – dissolved in water

E.g: Label the state symbol and explain how you could tell a reaction has occurred

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O

2H2O + 2Na → H2 + 2NaOH

2Al + Fe2O3 → Al2O3 + 2Fe (l) – molten iron

doesn’t dissolve in water.

C4.02 Equations for chemical reactions

 How to balance an equation (See figure C4.03)  Law of conservation of mass: total mass of products = total
mass of reactants
2H2 + O2  2H2O
A+BC+D
H2 and O2: reactants
H2O: products mass A + mass B = mass C + mass D

Small number subscript - H2 - 2 atoms of Hydrogen to form a E.g: After heating up 10g of solid CaCO3, the amount of solid
molecule. left weighs 5.6g. Explain how.
Big number in front - 2H2O – 2 molecules of water
.......................................................................................................
You can only change the big number, because the small number is
.......................................................................................................
fixed by nature of the atoms and their bonding.
C4.03 Types of chemical reactions

Type Example Properties

1. Synthesis Fe + S  FeS Most are exothermic except photosynthesis (endothermic).
A+BC 6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2

It is called a photochemical reaction bc’ it needs sunlight.

2. Decomposition ZnCO3  ZnO + CO2 Most are endothermic.
AB+C AgCl  Ag + Cl2 (happens in daylight)
Thermal decomposition
is when heat is applied.

3. Neutralisation CuO + H2SO4  CuSO4 + H2O The main way to produce a salt
Acid + base  salt + H2O
4. Precipitation Ca(OH)2 +CO2→ CaCO3+ H2O The main way to produce a salt
is the formation of a solid
after the reaction, e.g:
CaCO3↓, AgCl↓

5. Displacement
A + BC  AC + B
A more reactive
substance will replace
the less reactive in its
salt.

6. Combustion Glucose + oxygen  carbon dioxide + water - Releases energy

- Has oxygen as a reactant

7. Oxidation
8. Reduction
 9. Redox 2 ways to define redox
(REDuction + Oxidation/oxidized: gain of Oxygen ≠ Reduction/reduced
OXidation) OIL RIG = electrons
Oxidising agent: makes oxidation happen  releases oxygen
or receives electron
Reducing agent: makes reduction happen  takes in oxygen
or releases electron
Some common ore: Ores are usually oxides of metals we want to extract from the underground. Here are some common iron ores (remember
the name hematite and magnetite, magnetite has highest % of iron, both can be extracted by using Aluminum in the worksheet 4.2 your teacher
gave you).

In the following photo, just remember bauxite because it’s common.

Valency table/also helps with writing the chem formulae (next page)