CBSE Class 10 Science – Detailed Notes
Chemical Reactions and Equations – Up to Double Displacement
1. What is a Chemical Reaction?
A chemical reaction is a process where one or more substances (reactants) are converted into new substances
Indicators:
- Gas is evolved
- Change in color
- Formation of a precipitate
- Change in temperature
- Change in state
Examples: Milk turning sour, rusting, cooking, digestion.
2. Chemical Equations
Word Equation: Magnesium + Oxygen -> Magnesium Oxide
Formula Equation: Mg + O2 -> MgO
Balanced Equation: 2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO
Balanced equations obey the Law of Conservation of Mass.
3. Balancing Chemical Equations
Law of Conservation of Mass: Total mass of reactants = Total mass of products.
Example:
Unbalanced: Fe + H2O -> Fe3O4 + H2
Balanced: 3Fe + 4H2O -> Fe3O4 + 4H2
4. Physical States in Equations
Symbols:
(s) = solid
(l) = liquid
(g) = gas
(aq) = aqueous
Example:
3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) -> Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g)
5. Types of Chemical Reactions
5.1 Combination Reactions
Two or more reactants combine to form a single product.
Examples:
- CaO + H2O -> Ca(OH)2 (whitewash)
- 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O
- C + O2 -> CO2
These are usually exothermic (release heat).
5.2 Decomposition Reactions
A single compound breaks into simpler substances. Opposite of combination.
Types:
(a) Thermal:
- CaCO3 -> CaO + CO2
- 2FeSO4 -> Fe2O3 + SO2 + SO3
(b) Photolytic:
- 2AgCl -> 2Ag + Cl2
- 2AgBr -> 2Ag + Br2
(c) Electrolytic:
- 2H2O -> 2H2 + O2
5.3 Displacement Reactions
A more reactive element displaces a less reactive one.
Examples:
- Fe + CuSO4 -> FeSO4 + Cu
- Zn + CuSO4 -> ZnSO4 + Cu
- Pb + CuCl2 -> PbCl2 + Cu
5.4 Double Displacement Reactions
Two compounds exchange ions to form two new compounds.
Examples:
- Na2SO4 + BaCl2 -> BaSO4 (ppt) + 2NaCl
- Pb(NO3)2 + 2KI -> PbI2 (ppt) + 2KNO3
These are also called precipitation reactions.
Real-Life Applications
- Precipitation: water purification
- Displacement: metal extraction
- Decomposition: cement, photography
- Combination: respiration, combustion
NCERT Activities (Up to Double Displacement)
Activity 1.1: Burning of Magnesium Ribbon
- Clean ribbon with sandpaper and burn in air.
- Observation: Dazzling white flame, white ash (MgO) is formed.
- Reaction: 2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO
Activity 1.2: Zinc with Dilute Sulphuric Acid
- Add dilute H2SO4 to zinc granules.
- Observation: Bubbles of hydrogen gas; test tube becomes warm.
- Reaction: Zn + H2SO4 -> ZnSO4 + H2
Activity 1.3: Reaction of Zinc with Hydrochloric Acid
- Similar to 1.2, confirms evolution of gas and temperature change.
- Balanced: Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2
Activity 1.4: Quicklime with Water (Combination Reaction)
- Add water to CaO.
- Observation: Heat released, white paste forms (slaked lime).
- Reaction: CaO + H2O -> Ca(OH)2
Activity 1.5: Heating Ferrous Sulphate
- Heat green FeSO4 crystals in a boiling tube.
- Observation: Color changes to brown; smell of burning sulfur.
- Reaction: 2FeSO4 -> Fe2O3 + SO2 + SO3
Activity 1.6: Heating Lead Nitrate
- Heat Pb(NO3)2 in boiling tube.
- Observation: Brown fumes of NO2 gas; yellow PbO remains.
- Reaction: 2Pb(NO3)2 -> 2PbO + 4NO2 + O2
Activity 1.7: Electrolysis of Water
- Electrolyze acidified water using carbon electrodes.
- Observation: Gases collected; H2 is double the volume of O2.
- Reaction: 2H2O -> 2H2 + O2
Activity 1.8: Silver Chloride in Sunlight (Photolytic Decomposition)
- Place AgCl in sunlight.
- Observation: White AgCl turns grey due to formation of silver.
- Reaction: 2AgCl -> 2Ag + Cl2
Activity 1.9: Iron Nail in Copper Sulphate (Displacement Reaction)
- Dip iron nail in CuSO4 solution.
- Observation: Nail turns brown; blue color fades.
- Reaction: Fe + CuSO4 -> FeSO4 + Cu
Activity 1.10: Sodium Sulphate + Barium Chloride (Double Displacement)
- Mix Na2SO4 and BaCl2 solutions.
- Observation: White precipitate of BaSO4 forms.
- Reaction: Na2SO4 + BaCl2 -> BaSO4 (ppt) + 2NaCl
