General Science - Chemical Reactions and Changes

Vocabulary flashcards covering chemical and physical changes, types of reactions, combustion components, emulsions, and saponification concepts from general science notes.

Chemical reaction

A process in which one or more substances are transformed.

Reactants

Substances present before the reaction.

Products

Substances formed after the reaction.

Physical change

A change in which the material involved is structurally the same before and after the change.

Chemical change

A change signaling a chemical reaction that occurs when the composition of a substance is changed.

Decomposition reaction

A reaction where one compound splits into two or more simpler substances.

Hydrogen peroxide

A simple chemical compound ($H_2O_2$) used as a household disinfectant, bleaching agent, and oxidizer, which decomposes into water and oxygen.

Calcium carbonate

A common chemical compound.

Vinegar

A substance that contains acetic acid.

Baking soda

The common household substance that is sodium bicarbonate.

Combustion reaction

A reaction in which one of the reactants is oxygen.

Fuel

A substance that burns, most commonly a hydrocarbon.

Oxygen (in combustion)

The component that acts as the oxidizer required to sustain the reaction.

Heat (in combustion)

The energy input needed to start the reaction and keep it going.

Combustion

A redox reaction where oxygen acts as the oxidizing agent.

Fire triangle

The three components required for fire: fuel, oxygen, and heat.

Emulsification

The physical process of combining two or more liquids that normally do not mix.

Emulsion

A mixture of two immiscible liquids.

Emulsifier

A substance that helps keep an emulsion stable.

Saponification

The chemical reaction where fats or oils mix with a strong base.

Hydrophilic head

The end containing a carboxylate group that dissolves in water.

Hydrophobic tail

The water-fearing, non-polar end composed of a long hydrocarbon chain.