Understanding Chemical Reactions: Types, Examples, and Applications
Nature consists of different matters that exist in three different physical states; solid, gaseous, and liquid. The chemical nature also differs with the type of matter. Whenever the chemical nature gets differ due to a transformation of a substance to one or more new substances, a chemical reaction would happen.
In our day-to-day life, whenever we light a matchstick it would burn and create an amount of ash, fume, etc. There is no more a matchstick. So the properties have been changed. Most of the processes including smelting iron, brewing beer and making wine are the results of different chemical reactions.
What are Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions are the transformation of substances into new substances. These reactions occur when the bonds between atoms are broken or formed, resulting in a change in the chemical properties of the substances involved.
Chemical reactions and physical changes are two things that we should distinguish properly. Physical changes would change the physical state. But the chemical identity would remain unchanged.
Historical Overview
Chemical reactions have been revealed by early scientists at a time when they discovered the elements through different experiments. With this considerable historical background, currently chemical reactions play a major role in different fields of development.
Symbolize a Chemical Reaction
Each chemical reaction has both reactants and products. Reactants are the substances that involve in the reaction. The new substances created through transformation are called products. The transformation is shown by an arrow. The transformation can be either unidirectional or bidirectional.
The plus (+) sign indicates that the reactants react with each other. Further, the physical state of the reactants and products should be designated. According to the above equation, the (s) symbol has been used to indicate the solid state. symbol (l) would indicate the liquid state while symbol (g) indicates the gaseous state.
Types of Chemical Reactions
Several types of chemical reactions can be identified. Those include
- Synthesis reactions
- Decomposition reactions
- Combustion reactions
- Displacement reactions
- Redox reactions
Let's have a brief understanding of these types of chemical reactions.
Synthesis reactions
Synthesis reactions are also known as combination reactions. These reactions occur when two or more substances combine and then form a single product.
As an example, we can indicate this scenario by the reaction of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to form water.
Decomposition reactions
Decomposition reactions occur when a single substance breaks down into two or simpler substances.
The breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas is an example of a decomposition reaction.
Combustion reactions
Whenever a fuel reacts with oxygen gas to produce heat and light, a combustion reaction occurs.
This type of reaction is commonly seen in the burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and coal.
Displacement reactions
Displacement reactions occur when one element replaces another in a compound. For example, the reaction of magnesium metal and hydrochloric acid produces hydrogen gas and magnesium chloride.
Redox reactions
Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between reactants. Based on the nature of the transformation, these reactions are also known as oxidation-reduction reactions. Changes in oxidation numbers, which indicate the transfer of electrons, can be used to identify these reactions. Here if two reactants are there, one would undergo oxidation while the other undergoes reduction.
The reaction of iron and copper sulfate results in the oxidation of iron and the reduction of copper ions.
In conclusion, there are different types of chemical reactions. Under each reaction, the substances transform into new substances. Each undergoes the breaking and formation of chemical bonds.