Introduction to reactions
Two types of changes in chemistry:
o Physical Change: Alters the form or appearance of a substance but not its
chemical composition. Examples include boiling water (H₂O remains H₂O)
and shredding paper (paper remains paper). Involves changes in the state
of matter or separation/formation of mixtures without molecular-level
changes. Only the properties of the substance change.
o Chemical Change: Results in the formation of a brand-new product with a
different chemical structure. Involves changes at the molecular level.
Examples include rusting iron (Fe + O₂ → Fe₂O₃) and mixing baking soda
and vinegar (NaHCO₃ + CH₃COOH → CO₂ + other products).
• Chemical changes are the focus of AP Chemistry and are described by chemical
reactions.
• Evidence of a Chemical Reaction:
o Production of heat or light.
o Formation of a gas (possibly with an odor).
o Formation of a precipitate (a solid formed when two solutions mix).
o Color change.
Chemical Equation: A written representation of a chemical reaction.
• Reactants: Substances that react, listed on the left side of the equation.
• Products: Substances that are produced, listed on the right side of the equation.
• Arrow (→): Indicates the direction of the reaction (from left to right).
• Coefficients: Numbers in front of reactant and product formulas indicating the
relative amounts of each substance involved.
o Example: In 2H2+O2→2H2O, the "2" before H2O means two molecules of
water are produced.
• Formulas: Represent the chemical compositions of the substances.
o Use element symbols and subscripts to indicate the number of atoms of
each element (e.g., H2O is two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom).
• Five Main Types of Reactions
o Synthesis
o Decomposition
o Combustion
o Single Replacement
o Double Replacement
Synthesis Reactions: Two reactants combine or "fuse" to form a single, more complex
product.
• General Form: A + B → AB (where A, B, and AB represent arbitrary substances).
• Example 1: 2Na+Cl2→2NaCl (Sodium and chlorine combine to form sodium
chloride).
• Example 2: 2H2+O2→2H2O (Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water).
Here's a summary of decomposition reactions in bullet points:
Decomposition Reactions: One reactant breaks down or "decomposes" into two or more
simpler products.
• General Form: AB → A + B (where AB, A, and B represent arbitrary substances).
• Example 1: 2H2O2→2H2O+O2 (Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and
oxygen gas).
• Example 2: 2H2O→2H2+O2 (Water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen gas -
the reverse of water synthesis).
Combustion Reaction: A special type of decomposition reaction involving organic
molecules (carbon-based molecules).
• Hydrocarbons: A specific class of organic molecules made up only of hydrogen
and carbon.
• Combustion Process: Hydrocarbons burn in the presence of heat and oxygen,
releasing energy.
• General Combustion Reaction: Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide +
Water.
• Example: CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2O (combustion of methane).
• Oxygen is necessary for combustion (fires).
Single Replacement Reactions:
• Definition: A compound reacts with an element, and one element in the
compound is replaced by the other element.
• General Form: AB + C → AC + B
• Common Type: Redox reaction, involving the transfer of electrons.
• Example: 3Mg+2AlCl3→3MgCl2+2Al (Magnesium replaces aluminum in
aluminum chloride).
• Key Idea: One switch takes place.
Double Replacement Reactions:
• Definition: Two compounds react, and the ions of the two compounds exchange
places to form two new compounds.
• General Form: AB + CD → AD + CB
• Common Example: Acid-base reactions forming water and a salt (e.g.,
HCl+NaOH→NaCl+H2O).
• Significance: These are very common in AP Chemistry.
• Key Idea: Two switches take place (exchange of ions).
Practice Questions
Identify what type of reaction each of the following are:
1. Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2
2. 2C8H18 + 25O2 → 16CO2 + 18H2O
3. 2H2O → 2H2 + O2
4. AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3
5. 2Ni2O3 → 4Ni + 3O2
6. 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl
7. Cl2 + 2NaBr → 2NaCl + Br2
8. BaCl2 + Na2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2 NaCl
9. C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O
