Chemical reactions
All changes that occur in matter are either physical
or chemical. Physical changes occur when a change in state occurs, like
when ice melts. Physical changes are often easy to reverse; cooling
down the liquid water to below its freezing point refreezes it.
Chemical changes, on the other hand, form new substances from old and
are usually difficult to reverse. Have you ever tried unburning the
toast?! This topic and related topics will investigate some common chemical
changes and what happens during a chemical change, or reaction.
Biochemical reactions
Chemical reactions are occurring all around us as
well as within us all the time. Living is a continuous series of chemical
reactions. Too much acid and you have an upset stomach. Eat breakfast,
breathe the air, take a headache tablet - all these involve chemical
reactions. In fact, the science of biochemistry deals only with the
chemistry of life.
Corrosion
The combination of a metal with oxygen or other chemical to produce
a metal compound is called corrosion. Cars rusting, aluminium window
frames becoming crusty, copper and silver going black, are all forms
of corrosion. The most common form of corrosion involves the combination
metal with oxygen to form a metal oxide. Rust is iron oxide while the
white powder on aluminium is aluminium oxide.
Combustion
Cooking with gas, a bush fire and burning petrol in a car are examples
of combustion. Combustion is like corrosion in that it involves combining
a substance with oxygen, but this time very quickly to produce heat
and light as a flame.
Acid/base reactions
Acid/base reactions involve water and occur everywhere that water
is found. Taking bicarbonate for an upset stomach, digesting food, cleaning
copper with acid and adjusting the pH in garden soil all involve acid/base
reactions.
Reduction
Reduction is the opposite of corrosion or rusting. Refining iron ore
and copper ore and extracting aluminium from bauxite are processes involving
the removal of oxygen from a compound of the metal.
Chemical reactions crossword puzzle
When you have investigated these everyday examples of chemical reactions,
come back and try the online crossword puzzle - Chemical
reaction.
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