CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS

1. Which of the following statements about the reaction given below are correct?
2 PbO(s) + C(s) → 2Pb(s) + CO2(g)
a) Lead is getting reduced
b) Carbon dioxide is getting oxidised
c) Carbon is getting oxidized
d) Lead oxide is getting reduced
i) a and b ii) a and c iii) c and d iv) all are incorrect
A. i) c and d are correct.
In the given reaction PbO has lost oxygen to form Pb, therefore lead oxide is getting
reduced. Carbon (C) has gained oxygen to form CO2, so carbon is getting oxidised.
2. Fe2O3 + 2Al → Al2O3 + 2Fe
The above reaction is an example of:
a) Combination
b) Double displacement
c) Decomposition
d) Displacement
A. d) It is an example of displacement reaction. The Al metal has displaced Fe
from Fe2O3 when thereaction is carried in aqueous solution.

3. What happens when dilute HCl is added to iron fillings? Tick the correct answer.
a) Hydrogen gas and Iron chloride are produced
b) Chlorine gas and Iron hydroxide are produced
c) No reaction takes place
d) Iron salt and water are produced
A. a) Iron chloride and Hydrogen gas are produced: Fe(S) + 2HCl(dil) → FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)
4. What is a balanced chemical equation? Why should chemical equations be
balanced?
A. i) A chemical equation is said to be balanced, if the atoms of different
elements on both sides of the equation are equal.
ii) According to law of conservation of mass, the total mass of products must
be equal to total mass of reactants. This is possible only if the number of
atoms of each element are same on the two sides of the reaction. Hence we
should balance chemical equation.
5. Translate the following statements into chemical equations and then balance
them.
a) Hydrogen gas combines with Nitrogen to form ammonia.
b) Hydrogen sulphide gas burns in air to give water and Sulphur dioxide.
c) Barium chloride reacts with Aluminium sulphate to give Aluminium
chloride and a precipitate of Barium sulphate.
d) Potassium metal reacts with water to give Potassium hydroxide and
hydrogen gas.
A. a) Hydrogen gas combines with nitrogen to form Ammonia
Step - 1: Writing the chemical equation in the word form
Hydrogen + Nitrogen → Ammonia
Step - 2: Writing the skeletal chemical equation
N2 + H2 → NH3
Step - 3: Balancing of atoms on both sides
There are 2 N–atoms on L.H.S and 1N atom on R.H.S.
To balance N–atoms, multiply NH3 on R.H.S by 2. we get
N2 + H2 → 2NH3
Now, there are 6 H atoms on RHS and 2 H–atoms on L.H.S.
To balance H – atoms multiply H2 on LHS by 3. We get
N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3.
Step - 4: To check the correctness of the balanced equation.
LHS RHS
N – atoms 2 2
H – atoms 6 6

b) Hydrogen sulphide gas burns in air to give water and sulphur dioxide. The
word equation for the given statement will be:
Hydrogen sulphide + oxygen → water + Sulphur dioxide
Step - 1: Writing the skeletal chemical equation.
H2S + O2 → H2O + SO2
Step - 2: To equate the number of O – atoms, put coefficient 3 before
O2 on the reactant side and coefficient 2 before SO2 on the
product side. The number of H and S atoms are equal on both
sides. H2S + 3O2 → H2O + 2SO2
Step - 3: Oxygen atoms are still not balanced. To achieve this put
coefficient 2 before H2O on the product side.
H2S + 3O2 → 2H2O + 2SO2
Step - 4: To balance S – atoms, put coefficient 2 before H2S on the
reactant side. 2H2S + 3O2 → 2H2O + 2SO2
Step - 5: To check the correctness of the balanced equation
LHS RHS
H 4 4
S 2 2
O 6 6
Therefore, the equation is balanced.
c) Barium chloride reacts with Aluminium sulphate to give Aluminium chloride
and Barium sulphate.
The word equation for the given statement will be.
 Barium chloride + Aluminium sulphate → Aluminium chloride + Barium
sulphate
Step - 1: Writing skeletal equation
BaCl2 + Al2 (SO4)3 → AlCl3 + BaSO4
Step - 2: To balance the number of Al atoms put coefficient 2 before
AlCl3 on the product side. Ba atoms are equal on both sides.
BaCl2 + Al2 (SO4)3 → 2 AlCl3 + BaSO4
Step - 3: To balance Cl atoms put coefficient 3 before BaCl2 on the
reactant side. 3BaCl2 + Al2 (SO4)3 → 2AlCl3 + 3 BaSO4
Step - 4: To balance Ba atoms put coefficient 3 before BaSO4 on the
product side. 3BaCl2 + Al2 (SO4)3 → 2AlCl3 + 3 BaSO4
Step - 5: Checking the correctness of the balanced equation
LHS RHS
Ba 3 3
Al 2 2
Cl 6 6
S 3 3
O 12 12
Thus, number of atoms of each element is equal on the two sides. Hence the
above equation is the balanced chemical equation.
d) Potassium metal reacts with water to give Potassium hydroxide and hydrogen
gas. The word equation for given statement will be Potassium + water →
Potassium hydroxide + Hydrogen
Step - 1: Writing skeletal equation
K + H2O → KOH + H2
Step - 2: To balance the H – atoms. put coefficient 2 before KOH on
the product sides
and 2 before H2O on the reactant side. The number of K and
O atoms on both sides of the equation are equal.
K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2
Step - 3: To balance the K atoms in the above equation put coefficient
2 before K atom on the reactant side.
2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2
Step - 4: Checking the correctness of the balanced equation
LHS RHS
K 2 2
H 4 4
O 2 2
The number of atoms of all the elements are found to be equal on both sides of the
equation. It is finally balanced.
6. Balance the following chemical equations
a) HNO3 + Ca (OH)2 → Ca (NO3)2 + H2O b) NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 +H2O
c) NaCl + AgNO3 → AgCl + NaNO3 d) BaCl2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + HCl
A. a) HNO3 + Ca (OH)2 → Ca (NO3)2 + H2 O
Step - 1: To balance the number of N atoms put coefficient 2 before
HNO3 on the reactant side. Ca atoms are equal on both
sides. 2HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 → Ca(NO3)2 + H2O
Step - 2: To balance the number of H – atoms, put coefficient 2 before
H2O on the product side. The number of oxygen atoms on
both sides is same.
2HNO3 + Ca (OH)2 → Ca (NO3)2 + 2H2O
Step - 3: Checking the correctness of the balanced equation
LHS RHS
H 4 4
O 8 8
N 2 2
Ca 1 1
Therefore, the equation is balanced.
b) NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2 O
Step - 1: The equation reveals that the number of O and S are equal on both
sides.
Step - 2: To balance the number of Na – atoms, put coefficient 2 before NaOH
on the reactant side.
2NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O
Step - 3: To balance the number of H – atoms, put coefficient 2 before H2O
on the product side.
2NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2H2O
Step - 4: Checking the correctness of the balanced equation
LHS RHS
H 4 4
O 6 6
Na 2 2
S 1 1
c) NaCl + AgNO3 → AgCl + NaNO3
The above equation itself represents a balanced chemical equation.
d) BaCl2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + HCl
 Step - 1: To balance Cl atoms, put coefficient 2 before HCl on the product
side. BaCl2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2HCl
The above equation reveals that the number of Ba, S and O
atoms are equal on both sides.
Step - 2: On inspection, the number of H atoms on both sides of the
equation is the same. Therefore, the equation is balanced.
7. Write the balanced equations for the following reactions.
a) Calcium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide Calcium carbonate + water
b) Aluminium + Copper chloride Aluminium chloride + Copper
c) Zinc + Silver nitrate Zinc nitrate + silver
d) Barium chloride + Potassium sulphate Barium sulphate + Potassium
chloride.
A. a) Ca (OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O
b) 2Al + 3CuCl2 → 2AlCl3 + 3Cu
c) Zn + 2AgNO3 → Zn (NO3)2 + 2Ag
d) BaCl2 + K2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2KCl

8. Write the balanced chemical equation for the following reactions and identify
the type of reaction in each case.
a) Potassium bromide (aq) + Barium iodide (aq) → Potassium iodide (aq)
+ Barium bromide(aq)
b) Zinc carbonate(s) → Zinc oxide (s) + Carbon dioxide (g)
c) Hydrogen (g) + chlorine (g) → Hydrogen chloride (g)
d) Magnesium (s) + Hydro Chloric acid (aq) Magnesium chloride (aq) +
Hydrogen (g)
A. a) 2KBr(aq) + BaI2(aq) → 2KI(aq) + BaBr2(aq)
This reaction is known as double displacement reaction
b) ZnCO3(s) → ZnO(s) + CO2(g)
This reaction is known as decomposition reaction.
c) H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g)
This reaction is known as combination reaction.
d) Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
This reaction is known as displacement reaction.
9. What does one mean by exothermic and endothermic reactions? Give examples.
A. A chemical reaction is said to be exothermic in which heat energy is released.
Examples: N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g) + 92KJ
CH4(g) + 2O2 → CO2(g) + 2H2O(aq) + 890KJ
A chemical reaction is said to be endothermic in which a certain amount of heat
energy is absorbed.
Example: N2(g) + O2(g) + 180KJ → 2NO(g)
C(S) + H2O(g) + 130KJ → CO(g) + H2(g)
10. Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction? Explain.
A. We need energy to stay alive. We get this energy from the food we eat. During
digestion, food is broken down into simpler substances
Example: Rice, potatoes and bread contain carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are
broken down to form glucose. This glucose combines with oxygen in the cells of
our body and provides energy. The special name of this reaction is respiration. In
this reaction, energy is released So this is exothermic reaction.
11. Why are decompostion reactions called the opposite of combination reaction?
Write equation for these reactions.
A. In a decomposition reaction, a single compound splits to give two or more simpler
substances where as in a combination reaction, two or more simpler substances
combine together to form a single compound. Hence they are opposite to each other.
Examples of decomposition reaction:
i) CaCO3(S) ⎯⎯⎯
Heat
→ CaO(S) + CO2(g)

ii) 2FeSO4(S) ⎯⎯⎯

Heat
→ Fe2O3(S) + SO2(g) + SO3(g)

Examples of combination reactions:

i) 2Mg(S) + O2(g) → 2MgO(S)

ii) CaO(S) + H2O(l) → Ca (OH)2(aq)

12. Write one equation each for decomposition reactions where energy is supplied
in the form of heat, light or electricity.
A. Decomposition reaction involving absorption of heat
CaCO3 ⎯⎯⎯
Heat
→ CaO(S) + CO2(g) (Thermal decomposition)

Decomposition reaction involving absorption of light

2AgCl(s) ⎯⎯⎯
sunlight
→ 2Ag(S) + Cl2(g) (Photo chemical decomposition)

Decomposition reaction involving absorption of electricity

2H2O(l) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
electricity
→ 2H2(g) + O2(g) (Electro chemical reaction)

13. What is the difference between displacement and double displacement

reactions? Write equations for these reactions.
A. In a displacement reaction, one element takes the place of another in a compound.
Example: Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

In a double displacement reaction,

There is an exchange of ions between the reactants.

BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2 NaCl(aq)

14. In the refining of silver, the recovery of Silver from Silver nitrate solution
involved displacement by copper metal, write down the reaction involved.
A. The chemical equation for the displacement reaction is
Cu(s) + 2 AgNO3(aq) → Cu (NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)

15. What do you mean by a precipitation reaction? Explain giving examples.

A. When on mixing the solutions of two ionic compounds, an insoluble solid is formed
that separate out, the insoluble solid formed is called a precipitate and the reaction is
known as precipitation reaction.
Example: AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)

16. Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each:
a) Oxidation
b) Reduction
A. a) Oxidation: It is defined as a process which involves gain of oxygen.
Example: 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
Here, Mg has gained oxygen to form MgO. Hence, Mg has been oxidized to
MgO.
b) Reduction: It is defined as a process which involves loss of oxygen
Example: ZnO(s) + C(s) → Zn(s) + CO(g)
Here, ZnO has lost oxygen to form Zn. Hence ZnO has been reduced to Zn.
17. A shiny brown coloured element ‘X’ on heating in air becomes black in colour.
Name the element ‘X’ and the black coloured compound formed.
A. The element ‘X’ is copper and the black coloured compound is Copper oxide.
2Cu + O2 ⎯⎯⎯ Heat
→ 2CuO
(X) (Black)
18. Why do we apply paint on iron articles?
A. Paint forms a protective coating on the surface of iron. Then both oxygen and
moisture cannot have direct contact with the surface of the iron metal. Therefore, the
surface gets protected against rusting.
19. Oil and fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen why?
A. Oil and fat containing food items get rancid due to oxidation by air or oxygen. In
case the container or bag is flushed with nitrogen, then oxidation or rancidity will be
checked.
20. Explain the following terms with an example each:
a) Corrosion b) Rancidity
A. a) Corrosion: The most common example of corrosion is rusting i.e. corrosion
of iron. When an iron article remains exposed to moist air for a long time its
surface is covered with a brown, flaky substance called rust.
2Fe(s) + O2(g) + x H2O(aq) → Fe2O3 . xH2O (s)
(Rust)
b) Rancidity: The oxidation of oils or fats in a food resulting into a bad smell
and bad taste is called rancidity. We have often noticed that a food
containing oil or fat, if left for a long time, develops a bad taste and bad
smell. This is because the oils and fat present in food get oxidized.
1. Why should magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air?
A. When magnesium ribbon is exposed to air for a long time, a layer of Magnesium
oxide (MgO) is normally formed on the surface of the metal because oxygen present
in air slowly combines with the metal to form Magnesium oxide. The oxide layer
doesnot burn when flame is brought nearer to metal. So the surface should be properly
cleaned with a sand paper before burning.
2. Write the balanced equation for the following chemical reactions.
i) Hydrogen + chlorine → Hydrogen chloride
ii) Barium chloride + Aluminium sulphate → Barium sulphate +
Aluminium chloride
iii) Sodium + water → Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen
A. i) H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl
ii) 3BaCl2 + Al2 (SO4)3 → 3BaSO4 + 2AlCl3
iii) 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 
3. Write a balanced chemical equation with physical state, symbols for the
following reactions.
 i) Solution of Barium chloride and Sodium sulphate in water react to give
insoluble Barium sulphate and the solution of Sodium chloride.
ii) Sodium hydroxide solution (in water) reacts with Hydrochloric acid
solution (in water) to produce Sodium chloride solution and water
A. i) BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s)  (white precipitate) + 2NaCl (aq)
ii) NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O (aq)
4. A substance ‘x’ is used for white washing
i) Name the substance ‘x’ and write its formula
ii) Write the reaction of the substance ‘x’ named in (i) above with water.
A. i) The substance ‘x’ is Calcium oxide its formula is CaO
ii) CaO (s) + H2O (l) → Ca (OH)2 (aq)

5. Why the amount of gas collected in one of the test tubes in activity 1.7 (text book)
double to the amount collected in the other? Name this gas
A. The gas is hydrogen and its volume is twice that of oxygen.
Due to electrolysis of water 2 volumes of hydrogen and 1 volume of oxygen are
liberated
2H2O (aq) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Electrolysis
→ 2H2(g) + O2(g)

6. Why does the colour of copper sulphate solution change when an iron nail is
dipped in it ?

A. Iron nail become brownish in colour and the blue colour of copper sulphate solution
fade because iron displaces another element copper from copper sulphate solution.
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
(deposited on nail)

7. Give an example of a double displacement reaction.

A. BaCl2(aq) + CuSO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + CuCl2(aq)
(white precipitate)
8. Identify the substance that are oxidised and the substances that are reduced in
the following reactions
i) 4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2 Na2O(s)
ii) CuO(s) + H2(g) → Cu(s) + H2O (aq)
A. i) 4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2Na2O(s)
In this reaction, sodium (Na) is oxidised to sodium oxide (Na2O)
This means that oxygen has been reduced.
ii) CuO(s) + H2(g) → Cu(s) + H2O (aq)
In this reaction, hydrogen is oxidised to water while Copper oxide is reduced
to copper.