Chemistry
Study Guide for Chemistry
1. Types of Chemical Reactions
● Synthesis Reaction: Two or more reactants combine to form one product.
Example:
2H2+O2→2H2O2H_2 + O_2 → 2H_2O
● Decomposition Reaction: A compound breaks down into simpler substances.
Example:
2H2O→2H2+O22H_2O → 2H_2 + O_2
● Single Displacement Reaction: One element replaces another in a compound.
Example:
Zn+HCl→ZnCl2+H2Zn + HCl → ZnCl_2 + H_2
● Double Displacement Reaction: Two compounds exchange ions to form new
compounds.
Example:
NaCl+AgNO3→NaNO3+AgClNaCl + AgNO_3 → NaNO_3 + AgCl
● Combustion Reaction: A hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide
and water.
Example:
C3H8+5O2→3CO2+4H2OC_3H_8 + 5O_2 → 3CO_2 + 4H_2O
2. Types of Bonds
● Ionic Bonds: Formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another,
resulting in positively and negatively charged ions.
○ Example: Sodium chloride (NaCl)
● Covalent Bonds: Formed when two atoms share electrons.
○ Example: Water (H₂O)
● Metallic Bonds: Occur between metal atoms, where electrons are shared freely among
a lattice of atoms.
○ Example: Copper (Cu)
3. Chemical Nomenclature
● Ionic Compounds: Name the metal first, followed by the non-metal with an "-ide" suffix.
○ Example: NaCl → Sodium chloride
● Covalent Compounds: Use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element.
○ Example: CO₂ → Carbon dioxide
● Polyatomic Ions: Compounds containing multiple atoms with a charge.
○ Example: NaNO₃ → Sodium nitrate
4. Ions and Their Charges
● Cations: Positively charged ions (formed when metals lose electrons).
○ Example: Na⁺, Ca²⁺
● Anions: Negatively charged ions (formed when non-metals gain electrons).
○ Example: Cl⁻, O²⁻
● Polyatomic Ions: Groups of atoms that form ions.
○ Example: SO₄²⁻ (Sulfate), NO₃⁻ (Nitrate)
5. The Periodic Table
● Groups/Families: Vertical columns (18 total), elements in the same group have similar
properties.
● Periods: Horizontal rows (7 total), properties change progressively across a period.
● Metals, Non-Metals, and Metalloids:
○ Metals: Good conductors, shiny, malleable (e.g., Na, Fe).
○ Non-Metals: Poor conductors, brittle, non-shiny (e.g., O, N).
○ Metalloids: Properties of both metals and non-metals (e.g., Si, B).
6. Chemical Equations
● Balancing Chemical Equations: Ensure the number of atoms of each element is the
same on both sides.
Example:
Unbalanced:
C2H6+O2→CO2+H2OC_2H_6 + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O
Balanced:
2C2H6+7O2→4CO2+6H2O2C_2H_6 + 7O_2 → 4CO_2 + 6H_2O
7. The Law of Conservation of Mass
● States that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of
products.
● Example: If you burn 10g of wood, you will get 10g of ash, smoke, and gases (though
the forms may change).
8. Signs of a Chemical Reaction
● Energy change (heat or light is absorbed or released).
● Gas production (bubbles or smoke).
● Precipitate formation (solid forms from a solution).
● Color change (e.g., rusting).
9. Acids and Bases
● Acids: Donors of protons (H⁺), sour taste, turn litmus paper red.
○ Example: HCl (Hydrochloric acid), H₂SO₄ (Sulfuric acid).
● Bases: Acceptors of protons (OH⁻), bitter taste, slippery feel, turn litmus paper blue.
○ Example: NaOH (Sodium hydroxide), NH₄OH (Ammonium hydroxide).
10. Reactions Involving Gases
● Combustion: A reaction where oxygen combines with a substance to release energy,
typically in the form of heat and light.
● Respiration: A biochemical reaction where glucose combines with oxygen to release
energy.
○ Example:
C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+EnergyC_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 → 6CO_2 +
6H_2O + Energy
11. Special Chemical Reactions
● Neutralization Reaction: An acid reacts with a base to form salt and water.
○ Example:
HCl+NaOH→NaCl+H2OHCl + NaOH → NaCl + H_2O
● Acid-Base Indicator: A substance that changes color depending on the pH of the
solution.
○ Example: Litmus paper, phenolphthalein.
True or False: Correct the False Statements
14.The law of conservation of mass states that the total number of reactant
molecules and total number of product molecules in a chemical reaction are
equal.
False.
Corrected: The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products — not
necessarily the number of molecules.
15.The reaction of hydrochloric acid and potassium hydroxide is an example of both
a neutralization reaction and a double displacement reaction.
True.
16.The products of the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon are carbon monoxide
and water.
False.
Corrected: The products of complete combustion are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water.
17.The reactants of a single displacement reaction are both elements.
False.
Corrected: The reactants are one element and one compound.
Example: Zn + HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂
18.Dissolving sulfur dioxide gas in water produces a basic solution.
False.
Corrected: It forms an acidic solution (H₂SO₃, sulfurous acid).
19.Metals form positively charged ions by gaining electrons.
False.
Corrected: Metals form cations by losing electrons.
20.Atoms of carbon dioxide are held together by ionic bonds.
False.
Corrected: CO₂ molecules are held together by covalent bonds.
Key Concepts to Remember
● Ionic Bonds: Metal + Non-metal → Electron transfer.
● Covalent Bonds: Non-metal + Non-metal → Electron sharing.
● Balancing Chemical Reactions: Ensure the same number of atoms of each element on
both sides.
● Combustion Reactions: A type of exothermic reaction involving oxygen.
● Acid-Base Reactions: Acids release H⁺ ions, bases release OH⁻ ions.
