Chemical Reactions

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to chapter 6 on chemical reactions.

Chemical Reaction

A process in which chemical bonds are broken and/or new bonds are formed, resulting in the formation of one or more new substances.

Reactants

Substances that undergo a chemical change in a reaction; found on the left-hand side of the chemical equation.

Products

Substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction; found on the right-hand side of the chemical equation.

Balanced Equation

A chemical equation where the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, satisfying the law of conservation of mass.

Coefficient

A number placed in front of a chemical formula in a balanced equation to indicate the number of units of that substance.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases heat, resulting in an increase in the temperature of the surroundings.

Electrolysis

A process by which electrical energy is used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction.

Free Energy (G)

The energy associated with a chemical reaction that can be used to do work; a change in free energy (B4G) indicates if a reaction is spontaneous.

Synthesis Reaction

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

Decomposition Reaction

A type of reaction where a single reactant breaks down into two or more simpler products.

Single-Replacement Reaction

A type of reaction where one element replaces another element in a compound.

Double-Replacement Reaction

A type of reaction where two compounds exchange ions or bonds to form two new compounds.

Redox Reaction

A reaction that involves the transfer of electrons between two substances, involving oxidation and reduction.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy, without being consumed in the reaction.

Hydrogenation

A chemical reaction that involves the addition of hydrogen to an alkene to produce an alkane.

Hydration Reaction

A reaction in which water is added to a compound, often resulting in the formation of an alcohol.

Dehydration Reaction

A reaction that removes a water molecule from a compound, typically converting an alcohol to an alkene.

Stoichiometry

The calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on the balanced equation.