Predicting Products of Chemical Reactions

Combustion Reactions

• Example: Methane and Oxygen

  • When methane reacts with oxygen:
    • Type: Combustion reaction
    • Products: Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O)
    • Balancing steps:
      • 1 carbon atom on both sides
      • Balance hydrogen: 4 on left, 2 on right => Add 2 in front of H2O
      • Balance oxygen: Total 4 on right => Add 2 in front of O2

• Example: C2H5OH and Oxygen

  • Similar combustion reaction
  • Products: CO2 and H2O
  • Balancing left to the reader

Combination Reactions

• Example: Zinc and Oxygen

  • Reactants: Zinc and oxygen
  • Type: Combination reaction
  • Product: Zinc oxide (ZnO)
  • Balancing: 2 Zn + O2 -> 2 ZnO

• Example: Magnesium and Nitrogen

  • Reactants: Magnesium and nitrogen
  • Product: Magnesium nitride (Mg3N2)
  • Balancing: 3 Mg + N2 -> Mg3N2

Elemental Reactions

• Example: Sodium and Sulfur
  • Product: Sodium sulfide (Na2S)
  • Balancing: Ensure equal sodium and sulfur atoms

Decomposition Reactions

• Example: Heating Calcium Carbonate

  • Result: Produces CO2 and Calcium oxide (CaO)

• Example: Heating Metal Hydroxides

  • Product: Water (H2O) and corresponding metal oxide

Single Replacement Reactions

• Example: Iron with Copper(II) Chloride

  • Iron replaces copper, forming: Iron(II) chloride (FeCl2) + Copper

• Example: Aluminum with Nickel(II) Chloride

  • Aluminum forms: Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) + Nickel

• Example: Zinc with Hydrochloric Acid

  • Zinc pairs with chloride, displacing hydrogen as a gas

• Example: Chlorine with Sodium Bromide

  • Chlorine displaces bromine, forming sodium chloride (NaCl) + Bromine

Double Replacement Reactions

• Example: Silver Nitrate with Magnesium Chloride

  • Silver pairs with chloride forming: Silver chloride (AgCl) + Magnesium nitrate
  • Precipitation reaction if a solid forms

• Example: Aluminum Chloride with Sodium Sulfate

  • Products: Aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) + Sodium chloride (NaCl)
  • May result in no reaction if no phase change

• Example: Sulfuric Acid with Potassium Hydroxide

  • Acid-base neutralization producing water and potassium sulfate

• Example: Sodium Carbonate with Hydrochloric Acid

  • Products: Sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Gas evolution reaction

Key Concepts

• Combustion Reactions: Hydrocarbon + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
• Combination Reactions: Element + Element -> Compound
• Decomposition Reactions: Compound -> Two or more simpler products
• Single Replacement: One element displaces another in a compound
• Double Replacement: Exchange of partners between two compounds
• Neutralization Reactions: Acid + Base -> Salt + Water
• Gas Evolution Reactions: Reactions that generate a gas as a product