Chemical Reactions and Bonding Review

This flashcard set covers the fundamental concepts of chemical reactions, types of bonding, equation balancing, acid-base chemistry, and the factors affecting reaction rates.

Chemical Reaction

A process where atoms are rearranged to form new substances, characterized by evidence such as temperature change, color change, or gas production.

Law of Conservation of Matter

The principle that matter cannot be created or destroyed during a reaction, explaining why chemical equations must be balanced.

Open System

A system where mass may appear to change because matter can enter or escape to the surroundings.

Valence Electrons

Electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom that can be identified using the periodic table to determine bonding behavior.

Ionic Bonding

A type of chemical bond that occurs when atoms transfer electrons to one another.

Covalent Bonding

A type of chemical bond that occurs when atoms share electrons.

Subscript

A small number in a chemical formula that indicates the specific number of atoms of an element in a molecule or unit.

Coefficient

A number placed in front of a chemical formula to indicate how many molecules or formula units are involved in the reaction.

Brackets

Symbols used in chemical formulas to group polyatomic ions when more than one of that ion is present.

Synthesis Reaction

A reaction where two or more substances combine to form a single, more complex product.

Decomposition Reaction

A reaction where a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances.

Single Displacement Reaction

A reaction in which one element replaces another element within a compound.

Double Displacement Reaction

A reaction where ions from two different ionic compounds exchange places to form two new compounds.

Combustion Reaction

A reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen, typically releasing energy in the form of heat or light.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy to the surroundings.

Endothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that absorbs energy from the surroundings.

Precipitate

An insoluble solid that forms and settles out of a liquid mixture during a double displacement reaction.

Neutralisation

The chemical reaction between an acid and a base that produces a salt and water.

Acid and Metal Reaction

A reaction that results in the formation of a salt and hydrogen gas.

Acid and Carbonate Reaction

A reaction that results in the formation of a salt, water, and carbon dioxide.

Acid and Base Reaction

A reaction that creates products consisting of a salt and water.

pH Scale

A scale used to measure the acidity or basicity of a solution and to compare the strength of acids and bases.

Rate of Reaction

The speed at which a chemical reaction occurs, which can be affected by temperature, concentration, and surface area.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed by the reaction itself.

Particle Collisions

The mechanism used to explain reaction rates, stating that particles must collide for a reaction to occur.