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Chemistry
Ch.1: Chemical reactions and equations

Top definitions:

1. Chemical reaction: A chemical reaction involves a chemical change in

which substances react to form new substances with entirely new
properties. Substances that react or take part in the reaction are
known as reactants and the substances formed are known as products.
2. Physical change: If a change involves change in colour or state but no
new substance is formed, then it is a physical change.
3. Chemical change: If a change involves formation of new substances, it
is a chemical change.
4. Chemical equation: The symbolic representation of a chemical reaction
is called a chemical equation.
5. Exothermic and endothermic reactions: If heat is evolved during a
reaction, then such a reaction is known as exothermic reaction. If heat
is absorbed from the surroundings, then such a reaction is known as
endothermic reaction
6. Combination reaction: Combination reaction is a reaction in which 2 or
more substances combine to give a single product.
7. Decomposition reaction: In a decomposition reaction, a single reactant
decomposes to give 2 or more products. Decomposition reactions
require energy in the form of heat, light or electricity
8. Displacement reaction: A reaction in which a more active element
displaces less active element from its salt solution.
9. Reactivity series: The Reactivity series is a list of metals arranged in
the order of decreasing reactivity. The most reactive metal is placed at
the top and the least reactive metal is placed at the bottom.
10.Double displacement reaction: A chemical reaction in which there is
an exchange of ions between the reactants to give new substances is
called a double displacement reaction.
11.Precipitation reaction: An insoluble solid known as precipitate is
formed during a double displacement reaction. Such reactions are also
known as precipitation reactions.
12.Redox reaction: A reaction, in which oxidation and reduction takes
place simultaneously is known as redox reaction.
13.Oxidation: Oxidation is a chemical process in which a substance gains
oxygen or loses hydrogen.
14.Reduction: Reduction is a chemical process in which a substance gains
hydrogen or loses oxygen.

Key learnings:

1. A chemical reaction involves a chemical change in which substances

react to form new substances with entirely new properties.

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Substances that react or take part in the reaction are known as

reactants and the substances formed are known as products.
2. During a chemical reaction, there is a breaking of bonds between
atoms of the reacting molecules to give products.
3. A chemical reaction can be observed with the help of any of the
following observations:
a) Evolution of a gas
b) Change in temperature
c) Formation of a precipitate
d) Change in colour
e) Change of state
4. Physical change: If a change involves change in colour or state but
no new substance is formed, then it is a physical change.
5. Chemical change: If a change involves formation of new
substances, it is a chemical change.
6. Exothermic and endothermic reactions: If heat is evolved during a
reaction, then such a reaction is known as Exothermic reaction. If
heat is absorbed from the surroundings, then such a reaction is
known as endothermic reaction.
7. Chemical equation: The symbolic representation of a chemical
reaction is called a chemical equation.
8. Features of a chemical equation:
a. The reactants are written on the left hand side with a plus sign
between them.
b. The products are written on the right hand side with a plus sign
between them.
c. An arrow separates the reactants from the products. The arrow
head points towards the products and indicates the direction of the
reaction.
9. Skeletal chemical equation: A chemical equation which simply
represents the symbols and formulae of reactants and products
taking part in the reaction is known as skeletal chemical equation
for a reaction. For example: For the burning of Magnesium in the
air, Mg + O2 → MgO is the skeletal equation.
10. Balanced chemical equation: A balanced equation is a chemical
equation in which number of atoms of each element is equal on
both sides of the equation i.e. number of atoms of an element on
reactant side = number of atoms of that element on the product
side.
11. As per the law of conservation of mass, the total mass of the
elements present in the products of a chemical reaction is equal to
the total mass of the elements present in the reactants.
12. The process of equating the number of atoms on both the sides of
a chemical equation is known as balancing of a chemical equation.

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a. The first step in balancing a chemical equation is to write the

number of atoms of each element present on the left hand
side and right hand side.
b. We should always start balancing with the compound that
contains maximum number of atoms. It can be reactant or a
product. Then in that compound select the element which
has the maximum number of atoms.
c. While balancing a chemical equation, the molecular formulae
of the reactants and products should not change. The
molecular formulae are simply multiplied by suitable
coefficients.
d. To make a chemical equation more informative, the reaction
conditions such as temperature, pressure or catalyst are
written on the arrow separating the reactants and products.
e. The evolution of gas is indicated by an upward arrow.
f. The formation of precipitate is indicated by a downward
arrow.
g. Heat evolved during the reaction is written as + Heat on the
product side.
h. Heat absorbed during the reaction is written as + Heat on
the reactant side.
13.Types of chemical reactions:
a. Combination reaction
b. Decomposition reaction
c. Displacement reaction
d. Redox reaction
14.Combination reaction is a reaction in which 2 or more substances
combine to give a single product. Combination reaction can be
between 2 elements, between an element and a compound or
between 2 compounds.
15.Decomposition reaction: In a decomposition reaction, a single
reactant decomposes to give 2 or more products. Decomposition
reactions require energy in the form of heat, light or electricity
16.Types of decomposition reactions:
a. Decomposition reactions which require heat are known as
thermolytic decomposition reactions
b. Decomposition reactions which require light are known as
photolytic decomposition reactions
c. Decomposition reactions which require electricity are known
as electrolytic decomposition reactions
17.Displacement reaction: A reaction in which a more active element
displaces less active element from its salt solution.

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18.The reactivity series is a list of metals arranged in the order of

decreasing reactivity. The most reactive metal is placed at the top
and the least reactive metal is placed at the bottom.
19.Double displacement reaction: A chemical reaction in which there
is an exchange of ions between the reactants to give new
substances is called double displacement reaction.
20.Precipitation reaction: An insoluble solid known as precipitate is
formed during a double displacement reaction. Such reactions are
also known as precipitation reactions.
21.Redox reaction: A reaction in which oxidation and reduction take
place simultaneously in a reaction, is known as a redox reaction.
22.Oxidation is a chemical process in which a substance gains oxygen
or loses hydrogen.
23.Reduction is a chemical process in which a substance gains
hydrogen or loses oxygen.
24.If a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen during a reaction, it
is said to be oxidised.
25.If a substance gains hydrogen or loses oxygen during a reaction, it
is said to be reduced.
26.A substance that loses oxygen or gains hydrogen is known as an
oxidising agent.
27.A substance that loses hydrogen or gains oxygen is known as a
reducing agent.
28.An oxidising agent gets reduced whereas a reducing agent gets
oxidised.
29. In terms of electronic concept, Oxidation is defined as a loss of
electrons while reduction is defined as a gain of electrons.
30. Corrosion is the slow eating up of metals by the action of air and
moisture on their surfaces. Corrosion in case of Iron is known as
Rusting.
31.Chemically, rust is hydrated ferric oxide (Fe2O3.xH2O)
32.Advantages of corrosion: Though corrosion is undesirable, it can
be advantageous in case of aluminium which on exposure to air,
gets coated with a protective layer of aluminium oxide. This
protects the metal underneath from further corrosion and damage.
33.Rancidity: When oils and fats or foods containing oils and fats are
exposed to air, they get oxidised due to which the food becomes
stale and gives a bad taste or smell. This is called Rancidity.
34. Rancidity can be prevented by:
a) Adding antioxidants i.e. the substances which prevent oxidation
b) Refrigeration
c) Storing the food in air-tight containers

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