Chemical reactions are reactions in which elements or/and compounds combine chemically to form new substances.
There are different types of chemical reactions, they include
1. Combinations reactions
2. Decomposition reactions
3. Displacement reaction
4. Double decomposition reaction
5. Thermal Dissociation reaction
6. Reversible reaction
7. Catalytic reaction
๐ Combination Reaction (Short Note)
A combination reaction is a chemical reaction in which two or more substances combine to form one single product.
It is also called a synthesis reaction.
General Form
A + B → AB
Examples
Formation of magnesium oxide
2Mg(s) + O2(g) →2MgO(s)
Formation of water
2H2(g) + O2(g) →2H2O(l)
Formation of ammonia
N2(g) + 3H2(g) →2NH3(g)
Formation of calcium oxide
CaO(s) + CO2(g)→ CaCO3(s)
Formation of magnesium oxide
2Mg(s) + O2(g) →2MgO(s)
Formation of water
2H2(g) + O2(g) →2H2O(l)
Formation of ammonia
N2(g) + 3H2(g) →2NH3(g)
Formation of calcium oxide
CaO(s) + CO2(g)→ CaCO3(s)
๐ง Important Tip
In a combination reaction, many reactants give one product.
In a combination reaction, many reactants give one product.
๐งช Decomposition Reaction
A decomposition reaction is a chemical reaction in which one compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances when heat, electricity, or light is applied.
General Form
AB → A + B
Types and Examples
1. Thermal Decomposition (by heat)
CaCO3(s) {heat} CaO(s) + CO2(g)
(Calcium carbonate breaks into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.)
2. Electrolytic Decomposition (by electricity)
2H2O(l) {electricity} 2H2(g) + O2(g)
3. Photochemical Decomposition (by light)
2AgCl(s) {sunlight} 2Ag(s) + Cl2(g)
๐ง Important Tip
If one compound splits into two or more products, it is a decomposition reaction.
๐ Displacement Reactions
A displacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element from its compound.
It usually occurs between a metal and a salt solution.
General Equation
A + BC → AC + B
(Where A is more reactive than B)
Examples
Zinc and copper (II) sulphate
Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)Zinc displaces copper because zinc is more reactive.
Iron and copper (II) sulphate
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)Copper and silver nitrate
Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Important Points
Only a more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal.
The reaction depends on the reactivity series.
๐ง Important Tip
If a metal is higher in the reactivity series, it will displace a metal below it from solution.
๐ Double Decomposition Reaction
A double decomposition reaction (also called double displacement or metathesis reaction) is a chemical reaction in which two compounds exchange their ions to form two new compounds.
General Form
AB + CD → AD + CB
Examples
Reaction between sodium chloride and silver nitrate
NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)Reaction between barium chloride and sodium sulphate
BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) →BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq)Reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
(This is also a neutralization reaction.)
Important Points
The reaction usually occurs in aqueous solution.
One of the products is often a precipitate, gas, or water.
๐ง Important Tip
If two compounds exchange ions to form new compounds, it is a double decomposition reaction.
๐ฅ Thermal Dissociation (Short Note)
Thermal dissociation is a process in which a compound splits into simpler substances when heated, and the reaction is reversible.
When the temperature is lowered, the products can recombine to form the original compound.
General Form
AB → A + B
Examples
Ammonium chloride
NH4Cl(s) \xrightleftharpoons{heat} NH3(g) + HCl(g)Dinitrogen tetroxide
[
N2O4(g) \xrightleftharpoons{heat} 2NO2(g)
]Calcium carbonate
[
CaCO3(s) \xrightleftharpoons{heat} CaO(s) + CO2(g)
]
๐ง Important Tip
If a substance breaks on heating and reforms on cooling, it shows thermal dissociation.
๐ Reversible Reaction
A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction in which the products can react together to reform the original reactants.
It occurs in both forward and backward directions at the same time.
Symbol
[
A + B \rightleftharpoons C + D
]
Examples
Formation of ammonium chloride
NH3(g) + HCl(g) → NH4Cl(s)Dinitrogen tetroxide and nitrogen dioxide
N2O4(g) ⇌ 2NO2(g)
Haber process
N2(g) + 3H2(g)⇌ 2NH3(g)
๐ง Important Tip
If a reaction can go both forward and backward, it is a reversible reaction.
⚡ Catalytic Reaction
A catalytic reaction is a chemical reaction in which a substance called a catalyst increases the rate of the reaction without being used up or changed permanently.
Catalyst
A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but remains unchanged at the end of the reaction.
Examples
Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
2H2O2(aq) ---{MnO2}--->2H2O(l) + O2(g)
Haber process (manufacture of ammonia)
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ---{Fe}---> 2NH3(g)Contact process (manufacture of tetraoxosulphate VI acid)
2SO2(g) + O2(g) ---{V2O5}---> 2SO3(g)
๐ง Important Tip
A catalyst alters the rate of a reaction but is not used up in the process.
.png)
