Chemical Reactions and Equations Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms, principles, and types of chemical reactions from Chapter 1.

Reactants

The starting substances that undergo chemical change during a chemical reaction, written on the left-hand side of a chemical equation.

Products

The new substances formed as a result of 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 reaction.

Law of Conservation of Mass

A law stating that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, requiring the total mass of reactants to equal the total mass of products.

Hit-and-Trial Method

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

Combination Reaction

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

Exothermic Chemical Reactions

Reactions in which heat is released along with the formation of products, warming the reaction mixture.

Decomposition Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a single reactant breaks down to give two or more simpler products.

Thermal Decomposition

A decomposition reaction that is carried out by applying heat to the reactant.

Endothermic Reactions

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

Displacement Reaction

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

Precipitate

An insoluble substance formed during a chemical reaction in an aqueous solution.

Precipitation Reaction

Any chemical reaction that produces an insoluble substance called a precipitate.

Double Displacement Reaction

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

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 Reactions

Oxidation-reduction reactions in which one reactant undergoes oxidation while the other undergoes reduction simultaneously.

Corrosion

The process in which a metal is gradually damaged or attacked by environmental substances such as moisture, air, and acids.

Rancidity

The condition caused by the oxidation of fats and oils in food items, resulting in an unpleasant change in smell and taste.

Quick Lime

The common name for calcium oxide ($CaO_{(s)}$), which reacts vigorously with water to form slaked lime and release heat.

Slaked Lime

The common name for calcium hydroxide ($Ca(OH)_{2(aq)}$), formed by reacting quick lime with water and used for whitewashing walls.