Chemical Reactions

Flashcards summarizing key concepts related to chemical reactions and associated theories.

Ionic Theory of Solutions

Proposed by Arrhenius, it states that certain substances produce freely moving ions in water that conduct electric current.

Electrolyte

A substance that dissolves in water to give an electrically conducting solution.

Strong Electrolyte

A substance that exists almost entirely as ions in solution.

Weak Electrolyte

A substance that partially ionizes in solution, yielding a small percentage of ions.

Spectator Ions

Ions that do not participate in the chemical reaction and are omitted from the net ionic equation.

Precipitation Reaction

A reaction that forms a solid ionic substance from ionic solutions.

Acid-Base Reaction

Reactions that involve the transfer of protons between reactants.

Oxidation-Reduction Reaction (Redox)

Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons between reactants.

Net Ionic Equation

An equation that shows only the ions that participate in the reaction, omitting spectator ions.

Polyprotic Acid

An acid that can donate more than one proton (acidic hydrogen) per molecule.

Oxidizing Agent

A species that oxidizes another species and is itself reduced.

Reducing Agent

A species that reduces another species and is itself oxidized.

Balancing Half Reactions

The process of ensuring that the number of atoms and charge are balanced in oxidation and reduction half-reactions.

Acid-Base Neutralization

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

Combustion Reaction

A reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen, producing heat and light.

Decomposition Reaction

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

Displacement Reaction

A reaction where one element displaces another from a compound.

Rules for Assigning Oxidation Numbers

Guidelines to determine the oxidation state of atoms in compounds.

Evaporation

The process by which a liquid turns into vapor, typically when heated.

Condensation

The process by which vapor is converted back into a liquid, often through cooling.

Precipitation

The process in which solid particles form and separate from a liquid solution, often due to a chemical reaction.