CHAPTER 1

CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS

Chemical Reaction: A chemical reaction is a process in which one or more substances, also
called reactants, are converted to one or more different substances, known as products.
Substances are either chemical elements or compounds. The following activities are as given
below:

1. Magnesium ribbon burns with a dazzling white flame and changes into a white powder.
This powder is magnesium oxide. It is formed due to the reaction between magnesium
and oxygen present in the air.
2. Take lead nitrate solution in a test tube; add potassium iodide solution to this, and then
we observed that lead (II) iodide and potassium nitrate is formed.
3. Take a few zinc granules in a conical flask, add dilute hydrochloric acid or Sulphuric acid
to this, and then we observed that hydrogen gas is evolved.
From the above three activities, that any of the following observations helps us to
determine whether a chemical reaction has taken place-
• Change in state
• Change in colour
• Evolution of gas
• Change in temperature.

Chemical Equations:
Chemical equations are symbolic representations of chemical reactions in which the reactants
and the products are expressed in terms of their respective chemical formulae.
Rules for writing chemical equation:

Certain rules have to be followed while writing a chemical equation.

1. The reactants taking part in the reaction are written in terms of their symbols or molecular
formulae on the left-hand side of the equation.
2. A plus (+) sign is added between the formulae of the reactants.
3. The products of reaction are written in terms of their symbols or molecular formulae on
the right-hand side of the equation.
4. A plus (+) sign is added between the formulae of the products.
5. In between the reactants and the products an arrow sign (⟶) is inserted to show which
way the reaction is occurring.
A + B ⟶ C + D
Reactants Products

In this hypothetical equation, A and B are the reactants, and C and D are the products. The
arrow indicates that the reaction proceeds towards the formation of C and D.
Representing the Direction of the Chemical Reaction
The reactants and the products can be separated by one of the following four symbols:

• In order to describe a net forward reaction, the symbol ‗→‘ is used.

• In order to describe a net backward reaction, the symbol ‗ ‘ is used.
• In order to describe a reaction that occurs in both forward and backward directions, the
symbol ‗⇄‘ is used.
• In order to describe a state of chemical equilibrium, the symbol ‗⇌‘ is used.
Multiple entities on either side of the reaction symbols describe above are separated from each
other with the help of the ‗+‘ symbol in a chemical equation. It can be noted that the ‗→‘
symbol, when used in a chemical equation, is often read as ‗gives rise to‘ or ‗yields‘.

Representing the Physical States of the Reacting Entities

These symbols may be one of the following:

• The symbol (s) describes an entity in the solid state

• The symbol (l) denotes the liquid state of an entity
• The symbol (g) implies that the entity is in the gaseous state.
• The (aq) symbol corresponding to an entity in a chemical equation denotes an aqueous
solution of that entity.
In some reactions, a reactant or a product may be in the form of a precipitate which is insoluble
in the solution that the reaction is taking place in. The ‗↓‘ symbol is written next to the chemical
formula of these entities to describe them as precipitates.

Representing the Input of Energy in a Chemical Equation:

The Greek letter delta in its capitalized form (Δ) is used to state that an input of heat energy is
required by the reaction.

An example for which is represented below:

The reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to form water.
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O (1)
Reactants Products
The reacting entities are written on the left-hand side (2 molecules of hydrogen and one molecule
of oxygen) whereas the products are written on the right-hand side (2 molecules of water is
formed) of the chemical equation.
Equation (1) divided by 2 both sides and we get
H2 + ½ O2 → H2O
Reactant Product
The reacting entities are written on the left-hand side (1 molecules of hydrogen and half
molecule of oxygen) whereas the products are written on the right-hand side (1 molecules of
water) of the chemical equation.
It can also be observed that there are coefficients assigned to each of the symbols of the
corresponding reactants and products. These coefficients of entities in a chemical equation are
the exact value of the stoichiometric number for that entity.
Balanced Chemical Equations:
The law of conservation of mass that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical
reaction. The total mass of the elements present in the products of a chemical reaction has to be
equal to the total mass of the elements present in the reactants.

EXAMPLE 1:
Write the chemical equation for the formation of magnesium oxide.
Step 1: Magnesium burns in oxygen to give magnesium oxide. Here, the reactants are
magnesium and oxygen. The product is magnesium oxide.
Step 2: Thus, the word equation is
Magnesium + Oxygen ⟶ Magnesium oxide
Step 3: Replacing the names with symbols and formulae, we get the chemical equation as
Mg + O2 ⟶ MgO

Reactants Products
Step 4: The numbers of atoms of the elements are

Element Number of atoms in LHS Number of atoms in RHS

Mg 1 1

O 2 1

To balance oxygen on both sides, multiply RHS by 2, i.e.,

Mg + O2 ⟶ 2MgO
Now, the number of oxygen atoms is balanced but the number of magnesium atoms is not.
Therefore, multiply magnesium on the LHS by 2. Thus, the equation becomes
2Mg + O2 ⟶ 2MgO
this is the balanced chemical equation.

EXAMPLE 2:
The word-equation represented as –
Zinc + Sulphuric acid Zinc sulphate + Hydrogen
The above word-equation may be represented by the following chemical equation –
Zn + H2SO4 ZnSO4 + H2

Let us examine the number of atoms of different elements on both sides of the arrow.
Element Number of atoms in reactants Number of atoms in products (RHS)
(LHS)
Zn 1 1
H 2 2
S 1 1
O 4 4

As the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the arrow is a balanced
chemical equation.

EXAMPLE 3:
Let us try to balance the following chemical equation –
Fe + H2O Fe3O4 + H2

Step I: To balance a chemical equation, first draw boxes around each formula. Do not change
anything inside the boxes while balancing the equation.
Fe + H2O Fe3O4 + H2

Step II: List the number of atoms of different elements present in the unbalanced equation.
Element Number of atoms in reactants Number of atoms in products (RHS)
(LHS)
Fe 1 3
H 2 2
O 1 4

Step III:
Element Number of atoms in reactants Number of atoms in products (RHS)
(LHS)
Fe 1x3 3
H 2x4 2x4
O 1x4 4

Balanced equation:
3Fe + 4 H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2

As the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the arrow is a balanced
chemical equation.

List some Examples of Chemical Equations.

A few examples of chemical equations are listed in bulleted text below.

• PCl5 + H2O → H3PO4 + HCl

• SnO2 + H2 → H2O + Sn
• TiCl4 + H2O → TiO2 + HCl
 • H3PO4 + KOH → K3PO4 + H2O
• Na2S + AgI → NaI + Ag2S
• Fe + CuCl2 ⟶ FeCl3 + Cu
• CaCl2 + AgNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + AgCl↓

TYPES OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS:

1. Combination Reaction: A reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a

single new substance. Combination reactions can also be called synthesis reactions.

1. CaO(s) + H2O (l) Ca (OH)2(aq)

(Quick lime) (Slaked lime)
2. Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
(Calcium hydroxide) (Calcium carbonate)
3. C(s) + O2(g) CO2(g)
4. 2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(l)
5. CH4(g) + 2O2 (g) CO2 (g) + 2H2O (g)
6. C6H12O6(aq) + 6O2(aq) 6CO2(aq) + 6H2O(l) + energy
(Glucose)

2. Decomposition Reaction: A reaction in which a compound breaks down into two or more
simpler substances.

Most decomposition reactions require an input of energy in the form of heat, light, or electricity.

1. 2FeSO4(s) Heat Fe2O3(s) + SO2 (g) + SO3 (g)

(Ferrous sulphate) (Ferric oxide)
Heat
2. CaCO3(s) CaO(s) + CO2(g)
(Limestone) (Quick lime)
3. 2AgCl(s) Sunlight 2Ag(s) + Cl2(g)
4. 2Pb(NO3)2(s) Heat 2PbO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

(Lead nitrate) (Lead oxide) (Nitrogen dioxide) (Oxygen)

Sunlight
5. 2AgBr(s) 2Ag(s) + Br2(g)

3. Displacement Reaction: A chemical reaction in which a more reactive element displaces a

less reactive element from its aqueous salt solution.

1. Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

(Copper sulphate) (Iron sulphate)
2. Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
(Copper sulphate) (Zinc sulphate)
3. Pb(s) + CuCl2(aq) PbCl2(aq) + Cu(s)
(Copper chloride) (Lead chloride)
4. Double Displacement Reaction: A chemical reaction in which ions gets exchanged between
two reactants which form a new compound is called a double displacement reaction.

1. Na2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

(Sodium sulphate) (Barium chloride) (Barium sulphate) (Sodium chloride)

5. Precipitation reaction: A precipitation reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs in aqueous

solution and form precipitates. The insoluble salt that falls out of the solution is known as the
precipitate. It can occur when two solutions containing different salts are mixed, and a
cation/anion pair in the resulting combined solution forms an insoluble salt. For example,
Aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) is added to a solution containing potassium chloride (KCl), and
the precipitation of a white solid, silver chloride (AgCl), is observed:
AgNO3 (aq) + KCl (aq) → AgCl (s) + KNO3 (aq)

EXOTHERMIC AND ENDOTHERMIC CHEMICAL REACTIONS:

EXOTHERMIC CHEMICAL REACTIONS: Reactions in which heat is released along with

the formation of products are called exothermic reactions. For examples:
CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g) CO2 (g) + 2H2O (g)
C6H12O6 (aq) + 6O2 (aq) 6CO2 (aq) + 6H2O (l) + energy
(Glucose)

ENDOTHERMIC CHEMICAL REACTIONS: A reaction that the system absorbs energy

from its surrounding in the form of heat.
When ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) is dissolved in water, an endothermic reaction takes place.
The salt dissociates into ammonium (NH4+) and chloride (Cl–) ions. The chemical equation can
be written as follows:
NH4Cl (s) + H2O (l) + Heat ⟶ NH4Cl (aq)
N2 + O2 2NO
Other Endothermic Processes:
(i) The melting of ice to form water.
(ii) Evaporation of liquid water, forming water vapour.
(iii) Sublimation of solid CO2.
(iv) The baking of bread.

OXIDATION: Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons or increase in oxidation state by a

molecule, atom, or ion.
REDUCTION: Reduction refers to the gain of electrons or decrease in oxidation state by a
molecule, atom, or ion.
REDOX REACTIONS: A reduction-oxidation or redox reaction is a type of chemical reaction
in which reduction and oxidation occur at the same time.
OXIDATION: If substance gains oxygen during a reaction, it is said to, be oxidised. For
example:
2Cu + O2 2CuO
 REDUCTION: If substance loses oxygen during a reaction, it is said to, be reduced. For
example:
CuO +H2 Cu+H2O

REDOX REACTIONS: If one reactant gets oxidised while other gets reduced during a reaction.
Such reactions are called oxidation-reduction reaction or Redox reaction.
OX
+2 -2 0 0 +1 -2
Heat
CuO +H2 Cu + H2O

RED

Some other examples of Redox reactions are:

1. ZnO + C Zn + CO

OX
+2 -2 0
ZnO + C Zn +CO

RED

2. MnO2 + HCl MnCl2 + H2O + Cl2

OX
+4 -2 +1 -1 +2 0
MnO2 + HCl MnCl2 + H2O + Cl2

RED

Multiple Choice Questions:

Q1. Identify x and y in the following reaction: Cu + xHNO3 → Cu (NO3)2 + yNO2 + 2H2O
(a) 4 and 2
(b) 3 and 5
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 4 and 4

Q2. Which of the following can be decomposed by the action of sunlight?

(a) Potassium bromide
(b) Silver bromide
(c) Magnesium oxide
(d) Sodium chloride

Q3. The carbonate of lead is a white solid. It decomposes when heated to form carbon dioxide and a yellow
solid oxide ‘X’. What is X?
 (a) Zinc oxide
(b) Lead oxide
(c) Silver oxide
(d) Magnesium oxide

Q4. Identify the endothermic process from the following?

(a) H2O(l) → H2O(g)
(b) CaO (s) + H2O (l) → Ca (OH)2 (aq)
(c) Combustion of methane
(d) Addition of conc. HCl to water

Q5. Which of the following statements about the given reaction are correct?
2Fe (s) + 4H2O (l) → Fe3O4 (s) + 4H2 (g)
1. Iron metal is getting oxidized.
2. Water is getting reduced.
3. Water is acting as reducing agent.
4. Water is acting as oxidizing agent.
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 2 and 4

Q6. When Ag is exposed to air it gets a black coating of

(a) AgNO3
(b) Ag2S
(c) Ag2O
(d) Ag2CO3

Q7. MnO2 + 4HCl →MnCl2 + 2H2O + Cl2

Identify the substance oxidized in the above equation.
(a) MnCl2
(b) HCl
(c) H2O
(d) MnO2

Q8. Zinc reacts with silver nitrate to form which compounds?

(a) Zn (NO3)2 + Ag
(b) ZnNO3 + Ag
(c) AgNO3 + Zn (NO3)2
(d) Ag + Zn (NO3)3

Q9. In the double displacement reaction between aqueous potassium iodide and aqueous lead nitrate, a
yellow precipitate of lead iodide is formed. While performing the activity if lead nitrate is not available,
which of the following can be used in place of lead nitrate?
(a) Lead sulphate (insoluble)
(b) Lead acetate
 (c) Ammonium nitrate
(d) Potassium sulphate

Q10. The brown gas evolved on heating of copper nitrate is

(a) O2
(b) NO2
(c) N2
(d) NO

Q11. Electrolysis of water is a decomposition reaction. The mole ratio of hydrogen and oxygen gases
liberated during electrolysis of water is:
(a) 1: 1
(b) 2:1
(c) 4:1
(d) 1:2

Q12. A substance ‘X’ is used in white-washing and is obtained by heating limestone in the absence of air.
Identify ‘X’.
(a) CaOCl2
(b) Ca (OH)2
(c) CaO
(d) CaCO3

Q13. 2HNO3 + Ca (OH)2 → Ca (NO3)2 + 2H2O; is an example of

(i) displacement reaction (ii) double displacement reaction
(iii) neutralisation reaction (iv) combination reaction.
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (iii) and (iv)
(d) (i) and (iv)

Q14. A substance X which is a group 2 element is used intensively in the cement industry. This element is
present in bones also. On treatment with water, it forms a solution which turns red litmus blue. Element X is
(a) Cu
(b) Ca
(c) Na
(d) Al

Q15. You are given the following chemical reaction:

This reaction represents:

(a) Combination reaction as well as double displacement reaction
(b) Redox reaction as well as displacement reaction
(c) Double displacement reaction as well as redox reaction
(d) Decomposition reaction as well as displacement reaction
 ANSWERS
Q1. (a) Q2. (b) Q3. (b) Q4. (a) Q5. (c)
Q6. (b) Q7. (d) Q8. (a) Q9. (b) Q10. (b)
Q11. (b) Q12. (a) Q13. (b) Q14. (b) Q15. (b)

Assignment:

Q1. What happens chemically when quicklime is added to water filled in a bucket?
Answer. Quicklime reacts with water to form slaked lime and produces lot of heat and hissing
sound.
Q2. On what basis is a chemical equation balanced?
Answer. A chemical reaction is balanced on the basis of law of conservation of mass.
Q3. What change in colour is observed when white silver chloride is left exposed to sunlight?
State the type of chemical reaction in this change.
Answer. Silver chloride becomes grey. It is a photochemical decomposition reaction.
Q4. A solution of potassium chloride when mixed with silver nitrate solution, an insoluble white
substance is formed. Write the chemical reaction involved and also mention the type of the
chemical reaction?
Answer. KCl (aq) + AgNO3 (aq) AgCl (s) + KNO3 (aq)
It is a double displacement reaction. It is also a precipitation reaction as AgCl is a white
precipitate.

Q5. Translate the following statement into chemical equation and then balance it Barium
Chloride reacts with Aluminium sulphate to give Aluminium Chloride and a precipitate
ofBarium Sulphate. State the two types in which this reaction can be classified.
Answer. 3BaCl2 (aq) + A12 (SO4)3(aq) ——–> 3BaSO4(s) + 2AlCl3 (aq)
It can be classified as double displacement as well as precipitation reaction.
Q6. Why decomposition reactions are called the opposite of combination reactions? Write
equations for these reactions.
Answer. In decomposition reaction, a compound is broken down into simpler compounds or
elements, e.g. CuCO3 (s) CuO (s) + CO2 (g)
Combination reaction is a reaction in which two or more elements or compounds combine to
form a new compound, e.g. N2 (g) + H2 (g) 2NH3 (g)
Thus, decomposition and combination reactions are opposite to each other.
Q7. What is redox reaction? Identify the substance oxidized and the substance reduced in the
following reactions.
(i) 2PbO + C —–> 2Pb + CO2
(ii) MnO2 + 4HCl —–> MnCl2 + 2H2O + Cl2
Answer. Those reactions in which oxidation and reduction takes place simultaneously are called
redox reactions.
(i) PbO is getting reduced and C is getting oxidized.
(ii) MnO2 is getting reduced and HCl is getting oxidized.
Q8. Using a suitable chemical equation, justify that some chemical reactions are determined by:
(i) change in colour, (ii) change in temperature.
Answer. (i) Pb (NO3)2 (aq) + 2KI PbI2 + 2KNO3 (aq)

Colourless Yellow ppt.

(ii) CaO (s) + H2O (l) Ca (OH)2 + heat

Q9. Write balanced equations for the following mentioning the type of reaction involved.
(i) Aluminium + Bromine —–> Aluminium bromide
(ii) Calcium carbonate—–> Calcium oxide + Carbon dioxide
(iii) Silver chloride—–>Silver + Chlorine
Answer. (i) 2Al (s) + 3Br2 (g) 2AlBr3 (s)
(ii) CaCO3 (s) CaO + CO2
(iii) 2AgCl (s) 2Ag (s) + Cl2 (g)

Q10. (a) Why is respiration considered as an exothermic reaction?

(b) Define the terms oxidation and reduction.
(c) Identify the substance that is oxidized and reduced in the following reaction.
CuO (s) + Zn (s) Cu (s) + ZnO (s)
Answer. (a) It is because heat is evolved during respiration.
(b) Oxidation is a process in which O2 is added or H2 is removed or loss of electrons takes place.
Reduction is a process in which H2 is added or O2 is removed or gain of electrons take place.
(c) Zn is getting oxidized, CuO is getting reduced.
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