Chemical Reactions and Equations

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the foundational concepts of chemical reactions, types of reactions, balancing equations, and the effects of oxidation as presented in Chapter 1.

Chemical Reaction

A process that occurs whenever a chemical change takes place, where the nature and identity of the initial substance are changed.

Reactants

The substances that undergo chemical change in a reaction, written on the left-hand side ($LHS$) with a plus sign ($+$) between them.

Product

The new substance formed during a chemical reaction, written on the right-hand side ($RHS$) of a chemical equation.

Skeletal Chemical Equation

A chemical equation that is unbalanced because the mass and the number of atoms of each element are not the same on both sides of the equation.

Law of Conservation of Mass

The principle stating that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; thus, the total mass of products must equal the total mass of reactants.

Hit-and-trial Method

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

Aqueous ($aq$)

A notation used in chemical equations to indicate that a reactant or product is present as a solution in water.

Combination Reaction

A reaction in which a single product is formed from two or more reactants.

Quick Lime

The common name for calcium oxide ($CaO$).

Slaked Lime

The common name for calcium hydroxide ($Ca(OH)_2$), formed by the reaction of calcium oxide and water.

Exothermic Chemical Reaction

A reaction in which heat is released along with the formation of products, making the reaction mixture warm.

Respiration

An exothermic process in which glucose combines with oxygen in the cells of the body to provide energy.

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 the reactant.

Endothermic Reaction

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

Displacement Reaction

A reaction where a more reactive element displaces or removes another less reactive element from its compound.

Double Displacement Reaction

A reaction in which there is an exchange of ions between the reactants to form new compounds.

Precipitate

An insoluble substance formed during a chemical reaction that occurs in a liquid solution.

Oxidation

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

Reduction

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

Redox Reaction

A reaction in which one reactant gets oxidised while another gets reduced; also known as an oxidation-reduction reaction.

Corrosion

The process where a metal is attacked by substances around it, such as moisture and acids, leading to damage like the rusting of iron.

Rancidity

The state of fats and oils in food becoming oxidised, resulting in a change in their smell and taste.