Chemical Reactions and Equations - Simplified Summary

Chemical reactions and equations is an important topic in CBSE class 10 - 12 science curriculum. This topic helps students understand the chemical reactions taking place around them in their daily life. In this blog, we will cover the important concepts of chemical reactions and equations, their types, balancing of equations and their applications.

Chemical Reactions: A chemical reaction is a process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. In a chemical reaction, reactants are the starting materials and products are the end materials. Reactants combine to form products by breaking and making chemical bonds.

Types of Chemical Reactions:

1. Combination Reactions: In a combination reaction, two or more reactants combine to form a single product. The general equation of combination reaction is A + B → AB. Example: 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO

2. Decomposition Reactions: In a decomposition reaction, a single reactant breaks down into two or more products. The general equation of decomposition reaction is AB → A + B. Example: 2H2O → 2H2 + O2

3. Displacement Reactions: In a displacement reaction, a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound. The general equation of displacement reaction is A + BC → AC + B. Example: Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu

4. Double Displacement Reactions: In a double displacement reaction, two ionic compounds exchange their ions to form two new compounds. The general equation of double displacement reaction is AB + CD → AD + CB. Example: NaCl + AgNO3 → AgCl + NaNO3

Balancing of Chemical Equations:

In a chemical equation, the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation should be equal. Balancing a chemical equation means adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to balance the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Applications of Chemical Reactions:

Chemical reactions and equations have numerous applications in our daily life. Some of them are listed below:

1. Digestion of food in our body is a type of chemical reaction where food molecules are broken down into simpler substances for absorption.

2. Combustion of fuels like petrol, diesel, and natural gas is a type of chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat and light.

3. Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that takes place in green plants, where carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen in the presence of sunlight.

4. Corrosion of metals is a type of chemical reaction that takes place when metals react with atmospheric gases and moisture to form a new compound.

5. Production of fertilizers, medicines, and chemicals are some of the industrial applications of chemical reactions.

In conclusion, chemical reactions and equations are an important topic in CBSE class 10 - 12 science curriculum. It is important for students to understand the different types of chemical reactions, balancing of equations, and their applications in our daily life. A strong understanding of this topic will help students in pursuing higher studies in chemistry and related fields.