Common Types of Chemical Reactions

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental reaction types, signs of reactions, general word equations, and specific chemical reaction examples for Grade 11 General Science.

Chemical Reaction

A process where one or more substances (reactants) change into completely different new substances (products) through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.

Reactants

The original starting materials located on the left side of a chemical equation.

Products

The final new substances created on the right side of a chemical equation.

Chemical Bonds

Forces holding atoms together that break and form during a chemical reaction.

Conservation of Mass

The principle stating that matter is never created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, meaning atoms are only rearranged and chemical equations must balance.

Combination Reaction (Synthesis)

A chemical reaction in which two or more simple substances combine to form a single, more complex product, represented by $A + B \rightarrow AB$.

Decomposition Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a single complex compound breaks down into two or more simpler parts ($AB \rightarrow A + B$), usually requiring energy like heat ($\Delta$), light ($h\nu$), or electricity.

Single-Displacement Reaction

A chemical reaction in which one element replaces another element inside a compound, represented by $A + BC \rightarrow AC + B$.

Double-Displacement Reaction

A chemical reaction in which two ionic compounds exchange ions with each other to form two new compounds, represented by $AB + CD \rightarrow AD + CB$.

Combustion Reaction

A rapid reaction in which a substance (fuel) reacts with oxygen ($\text{O}_2$), releasing heat and light to form water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$) and carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$).

Precipitate

A solid particle that separates out from a mixed liquid solution during a reaction.

Signs of a Reaction

Observable indicators that a chemical reaction has occurred, including color change, temperature change (exothermic or endothermic), gas production, and precipitate formation.

Acid on Carbonate Reaction

A reaction where an acid reacts with a metal carbonate to produce a salt, liquid water, and carbon dioxide gas ($\text{Acid} + \text{Carbonate} \rightarrow \text{Salt} + \text{Water} + \text{Carbon Dioxide}$), recognized by fizzing or bubbling.

Acid on Metal Reaction

A single-displacement reaction where an active metal reacts with an acid to form a metal salt and release hydrogen gas ($\text{Metal} + \text{Acid} \rightarrow \text{Salt} + \text{Hydrogen Gas}$).

Decomposition of Carbonic Acid

The breakdown of carbonic acid into carbon dioxide and water, given by $\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O}$.

Thermal Decomposition Examples

Decomposition reactions driven by heat ($\Delta$), such as ferric hydroxide breaking down ($2\text{Fe(OH)}_3 \xrightarrow{\Delta} \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3\text{H}_2\text{O}$) or calcium carbonate breaking down ($\text{CaCO}_3 \xrightarrow{\Delta} \text{CaO} + \text{CO}_2$).

Electrolytic Decomposition of Water

The decomposition of liquid water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas using electricity ($\text{Elec.}$), given by $2\text{H}_2\text{O}(l) \xrightarrow{\text{Elec.}} 2\text{H}_2(g) + \text{O}_2(g)$.

Photodecomposition of Silver Bromide

The breakdown of silver bromide into silver and bromine gas when exposed to light energy ($h\nu$), represented by $2\text{AgBr} \xrightarrow{h\nu} 2\text{Ag} + \text{Br}_2$.

Reaction of Calcium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid

An acid-carbonate reaction where calcium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide: $\text{CaCO}_3(s) + 2\text{HCl}(aq) \rightarrow \text{CaCl}_2(aq) + \text{H}_2\text{O}(l) + \text{CO}_2(g)$.

Reaction of Magnesium and Hydrochloric Acid

An acid-metal reaction where solid magnesium reacts with aqueous hydrochloric acid to produce aqueous magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas: $\text{Mg}(s) + 2\text{HCl}(aq) \rightarrow \text{MgCl}_2(aq) + \text{H}_2(g)$.

Combustion of Methane

The rapid oxidation of methane gas in oxygen gas, producing carbon dioxide, water vapour, and energy: $\text{CH}_4(g) + 2\text{O}_2(g) \rightarrow \text{CO}_2(g) + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}(g) + \text{Energy}$.

Combustion of Propane

The reaction of propane gas with oxygen gas to yield carbon dioxide and water, expressed as $\text{C}_3\text{H}_8 + 5\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 3\text{CO}_2 + 4\text{H}_2\text{O}$.

Combustion of Alcohols

Reactions in which alcohols (such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol) combine with oxygen ($\text{O}_2$) to produce carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$) and water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$).