Chemical Reactions and Equations

These vocabulary flashcards cover the primary terms, reaction types, and chemical concepts introduced in the lecture on Chemical Reactions and Equations.

Chemical Reaction

A process that occurs whenever a chemical change takes place, resulting in the change of nature and identity of the initial substances.

Reactants

The substances that undergo chemical change in a reaction, traditionally written on the left-hand side (LHS) of a chemical equation.

Product

The new substance formed during a chemical reaction, traditionally written on the right-hand side (RHS) of a chemical equation.

Magnesium Oxide

A white powder formed by the reaction between magnesium and oxygen present in the air when a magnesium ribbon is burnt.

Skeletal Chemical Equation

A chemical equation that is unbalanced because the mass of elements is not the same on both sides of the equation.

Balanced Chemical Equation

An equation where the number of atoms of each element remains the same before and after a chemical reaction, satisfying the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Hit-and-trial method

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

Aqueous ($aq$)

A notation indicating that a reactant or product is present as a solution in water.

Combination Reaction

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

Quick Lime

The common name for calcium oxide ($CaO$), which reacts vigorously with water to produce slaked lime.

Slaked Lime

The common name for calcium hydroxide ($Ca(OH)_2$), often used for whitewashing walls.

Exothermic Chemical Reaction

A reaction in which heat is released along with the formation of products, making the reaction mixture warm.

Respiration

An exothermic process where glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) combines with oxygen in the body's cells to provide energy.

Decomposition Reaction

A 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 the application of heat.

Endothermic Reaction

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

Displacement Reaction

A reaction where a more reactive element displaces or removes another element from its compound.

Precipitate

An insoluble substance formed during a chemical reaction that produces an insoluble salt.

Double Displacement Reaction

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

Oxidation

The gain of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen by a substance during a reaction.

Reduction

The loss of oxygen or the gain of hydrogen by a substance during a reaction.

Redox Reaction

A reaction where one reactant gets oxidised while the other gets reduced simultaneously; also known as an oxidation-reduction reaction.

Corrosion

The process where a metal is attacked by substances around it such as moisture and acids, leading to damage of objects like iron railings or ships.

Rancidity

A condition in which fats and oils are oxidised, leading to a change in their smell and taste.