Chemistry of Compounds and Chemical Reactions

Chemistry of Compounds and Chemical Reactions

A chemical reaction is a process through which the reactants are chemically converted into one or more substances; reactants can either be compounds or elements. This assignment seeks to unravel the understanding of ionic compounds, how they are applicable in daily life, chemical; reactions, and the equations associated with those reactions.

1. Write out the name, provide the cation and anion, and write out the correct formula. (describe the steps for how you did this)

Sodium chloride is the ionic compound that I interact with daily while seasoning food. It has sodium cations and chloride anions, which are bonded by the electrostatic forces. Sodium chloride is formed when there is an interaction between the atoms of both sodium and chlorine. Thus, leading to the formation of the following equation;

Na + Cl → NaCl

1. Does it have more than one positive ion? If so, list these.

The loss or gain of electrons by an atom is what forms an ion. Fundamentally, sodium chloride has more than one positive ion. One unit cell of sodium chloride crystal entails four chloride ions and four sodium ions since the ratio of this chemical reaction is usually one to one.

1. What kind of element it is and give a description of it.

Sodium chloride is a compound that is made up of two elements. It has sodium as an element and chlorine as another element. Sodium is a group one element whose symbol is Na, while chlorine is a group seven-element with a symbol of Cl.

• Does it react to other molecules, if so which ones? Write out the formula for at least one example.

When sodium chloride is mixed with sulphuric acid, a chemical reaction occurs, which leads to the formation of sodium hydrogen sulphate and hydrogen chloride (Tro et al. 2017). Its chemical reaction is as follows:

2NaCl + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + 2HCl

1. What are the real-world applications for your ion?

Sodium chloride is referred to as salt by human beings, which is used to add flavor to food and also serves as a disinfectant.

• Pick two out of the four types of Chemical Reactions (Combination, Decomposition, Replacement (single or double), and Combustion). For your two selections, answer the below questions:
  1. Compare and contrast your selections. How are they similar or different.

A combustion reaction occurs when either a compound or an element reacts with oxygen when they are exposed to this gas to form oxides. Decomposition, on the other hand, produces many products from one reaction; its key reactants are compounds that lead to products that are either elements or rather smaller compounds (Tro et al. 2017).

1. Go out to the internet and find an example of each.

An example of a combustion reaction is that of methane and oxygen:

CH₄(g) + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O(l)

While a decomposition reaction can occur when the calcium carbonate bonds are broken:

CaCO₃(s) → CaO(s) +CO₂

1. Write out the related formulas and verbally describe what is happening in that reaction.

When methane is exposed to oxygen and ignited with a flame, it burns. The chemical reaction between methane and oxygen leads to the formation of carbon dioxide and water.

CH₄(g) + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O(l)

Calcium carbonate, on the other hand, when left to decompose such that its bonds break on their own; the result is calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.

CaCO₃(s) → CaO(s) +CO₂

• 1. Do you have the first-hand experience with this chemical change? If so, describe what you saw or experienced.

Yes, rusting is a chemical reaction that typically happens on the majority of the metallic household items nails and also to the steel wool used to scrub utensils. A reddish-brown coat forms usually on top of objects which have rust, and the metal ends up corroded.

1. Describe which of the chemical reactions may be involved in this situation.

Rusting can only take place when either steel or iron is exposed to moist air. Meaning, for rust to form, there has to be oxygen and air (Ishikawa et al. 2016). For this chemical reaction to be complete it requires;

iron + water + oxygen → hydrated iron(III) oxide

1. Research and completely describe the process of change. Include any chemical formulas and write out the formulas associated with them.

When iron is exposed to water rather an aqueous solution, the following reaction is bound to happen;

2Fe → 2Fe²⁺  + 4e-

The oxygen which is usually dissolved in water is then reduced;

O₂  + 2H₂O + 4e^– → 4OH^– 

Later, the ions in iron will react with the hydroxide ions which will lead to iron hydroxide;

2Fe²⁺ + 4OH^–  → 2Fe(OH)₂

After which exposure to oxygen transforms into a reaction that causes rust;

Fe₂O₃.H₂O

1. Speak to the energy involved in your chemical change. Regarding your reactants and products, create your diagram similar to what you see below.  You can draw this and insert an image into your paper, but make sure to sign and date your drawing.

The reactants in the reaction of rusting are iron, water, and oxygen, while the product is hydrated iron(III) oxide.

In conclusion, a chemical reaction can only happen when the involved elements absorb or release heat. Besides rusting being a chemical reaction is also an example of an oxidation reaction since both water and oxygen are essential for this process to be complete.

References

Ishikawa, T., Kamata, K., Takeshima, Y., & Kakimoto, M. (2016). Rusting and corroding simulation taking into account chemical reaction processes. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2016 Posters (pp. 1-1).

Tro, N. J., Fridgen, T. D., Shaw, L., & Boikess, R. S. (2017). Chemistry: A molecular approach. Boston, MA: Pearson.