Skip to main content

Introduction for Reactions

A chemical reaction involves the transformation of reactants into products with different chemical compositions. Understanding reactions is fundamental to chemistry, as they describe how substances interact, combine, and change.

Key Concepts​

  • Reactants: Starting substances in a chemical reaction
  • Products: Substances formed after the reaction
  • Chemical Equation: Symbolic representation of a reaction
    • Example: 2 H₂ + O₂ → 2 H₂O

Types of Reactions​

  1. Synthesis (Combination)

    • Two or more substances combine to form a single product
    • A + B → AB

  2. Decomposition

    • A single compound breaks down into simpler substances
    • AB → A + B

  3. Single Replacement (Displacement)

    • An element replaces another in a compound
    • A + BC → AC + B

  4. Double Replacement (Metathesis)

    • Exchange of ions between two compounds
    • AB + CD → AD + CB

  5. Combustion

    • A substance reacts with oxygen, producing energy
    • Hydrocarbon + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

Law of Conservation of Mass​

  • Matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction
  • Total mass of reactants = total mass of products

Importance​

  • Understanding reactions allows prediction of products, reaction rates, and energy changes
  • Critical for applications in industrial chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science

Have Questions?​

If you have any questions, or are looking for more resources, you can join our Discord Server