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Chemical Reactions

Chemistry · रासायनिक अभिक्रियाएं

📋Quick Overview

A chemical reaction is a process where reactants are transformed into products with different chemical properties. Signs of a chemical reaction include: change in colour, evolution of gas, change in temperature, formation of precipitate, or change in state. Chemical equations must be balanced — same number of atoms on both sides (Law of Conservation of Mass by Lavoisier).

📖Types of Chemical Reactions

TypeDescriptionGeneral FormExample
Combination (Synthesis)Two or more substances combine to form one productA + B → AB2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO (burning magnesium)
DecompositionOne substance breaks into two or moreAB → A + B2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂ (electrolysis of water)
Displacement (Single)More reactive element replaces less reactiveA + BC → AC + BZn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu
Double DisplacementExchange of ions between two compoundsAB + CD → AD + CBNaCl + AgNO₃ → AgCl↓ + NaNO₃
RedoxOxidation and reduction happen simultaneouslyOxidation + ReductionCuO + H₂ → Cu + H₂O

📖Oxidation vs Reduction

Remember: OIL RIG — Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons), Reduction Is Gain (of electrons). The substance that gets oxidized is the Reducing Agent. The substance that gets reduced is the Oxidizing Agent.

📖Exothermic vs Endothermic Reactions

📖Types of Decomposition

  • Thermal Decomposition — by heat. Example: CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂ (limestone to quicklime)
  • Electrolytic Decomposition — by electricity. Example: 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂ (electrolysis of water)
  • Photolytic Decomposition — by light. Example: 2AgCl → 2Ag + Cl₂ (silver chloride in sunlight turns grey)

📖Everyday Examples of Reactions

  • Rusting of iron: 4Fe + 3O₂ + water → 2Fe₂O₃·xH₂O (slow oxidation, needs moisture)
  • Corrosion: When metals react with air/water/acids and get damaged (rusting is corrosion of iron)
  • Rancidity: When fats/oils get oxidized, food smells bad. Prevented by adding antioxidants or nitrogen packing.
  • Galvanization: Coating iron with zinc to prevent rusting
  • Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (endothermic, uses sunlight)

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