Chemical Reactions and Equations Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, processes, and definitions from Chapter 1 on Chemical Reactions and Equations.

Reactants

Substances that undergo chemical change in a chemical reaction and are written on the left-hand side of a chemical equation.

Products

New substances formed during a chemical reaction, written on the right-hand side of a chemical equation.

Skeletal Chemical Equation

An unbalanced chemical equation in which the mass and number of atoms of each element are not equal on both sides of the equation.

Balanced Chemical Equation

A chemical equation in which the total number of atoms of each element remains the same before and after a chemical reaction.

Hit-and-Trial Method

A method of balancing chemical equations by making trials to balance the equation using the smallest whole number coefficients.

Combination Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a single product is formed from two or more reactants, such as $CaO(s) + H_2O(l) \rightarrow Ca(OH)_2(aq) + \text{Heat}$.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction in which heat is released along with the formation of products.

Endothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction in which energy in the form of heat, light, or electricity is absorbed.

Decomposition Reaction

A reaction in which a single reactant breaks down to give simpler products.

Thermal Decomposition

A decomposition reaction that is carried out by heating.

Displacement Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a more reactive element displaces or removes another element from its compound.

Precipitate

An insoluble substance formed during a chemical reaction in solution.

Precipitation Reaction

Any chemical reaction that produces an insoluble precipitate.

Double Displacement Reaction

A chemical reaction in which there is an exchange of ions between the reactants.

Oxidation

A chemical process involving the gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen by a substance.

Reduction

A chemical process involving the loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen by a substance.

Redox Reaction

An oxidation-reduction reaction in which one reactant gets oxidised while another gets reduced.

Corrosion

The process in which a metal is attacked and damaged by substances around it, such as moisture and acids.

Rancidity

The condition caused by the oxidation of fats and oils in food materials, resulting in a change in smell and taste.

Quick Lime

The common name for calcium oxide ($CaO(s)$), used in the manufacture of cement and in reaction with water to form slaked lime.

Slaked Lime

The common name for calcium hydroxide ($Ca(OH)_2(aq)$), produced by the vigorous reaction of calcium oxide with water and used for whitewashing walls.