Have You Observed The Effects Of Oxidation Reactions In Everyday Life?

Chapter 1. Chemical Reactions and Equations

1.3. Have You Observed The Effects Of Oxidation Reactions In Everyday Life?

1.3.1. Corrosion

You must have observed that iron articles are shiny when new, but get coated with a reddish brown powder when left for some time. This process is commonly known as rusting of iron. Some other metals also get tarnished in this manner. Have you noticed the colour of the coating formed on copper and silver? When a metal is attacked by substances around it such as moisture, acids, etc., it is said to corrode and this process is called corrosion. The black coating on silver and the green coating on copper are other examples of corrosion.

Corrosion causes damage to car bodies, bridges, iron railings, ships and to all objects made of metals, specially those of iron. Corrosion of iron is a serious problem. Every year an enormous amount of money is spent to replace damaged iron. You will learn more about corrosion in Chapter 3.

1.3.2. Rancidity

Have you ever tasted or smelt the fat/oil containing food materials left for a long time?
When fats and oils are oxidised, they become rancid and their smell and taste change. Usually substances which prevent oxidation (antioxidants) are added to foods containing fats and oil. Keeping food in air tight containers helps to slow down oxidation. Do you know that chips manufacturers usually flush bags of chips with gas such as nitrogen to prevent the chips from getting oxidised ?

Questions

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

2. Give an example of a double displacement reaction other than the one given in Activity 1.10.

3. Identify the substances that are oxidised and the substances that are reduced in the following reactions.

(i) 4Na(s) + O₂(g) → 2Na₂O(s) ?

(ii) CuO(s) + H₂(g) → Cu(s) + H₂O(l)

What you have learnt!

A complete chemical equation represents the reactants, products and their physical states symbolically.
A chemical equation is balanced so that the numbers of atoms of each type involved in a chemical reaction are the same on the reactant and product sides of the equation. Equations must always be balanced.
In a combination reaction two or more substances combine to form a new single substance.
Decomposition reactions are opposite to combination reactions. In a decomposition reaction, a single substance decomposes to give two or more substances.
Reactions in which heat is given out along with the products are called exothermic reactions.
Reactions in which energy is absorbed are known as endothermic reactions.
When an element displaces another element from its compound, a displacement reaction occurs.
Two different atoms or groups of atoms (ions) are exchanged in double displacement reactions.
Precipitation reactions produce insoluble salts.
Reactions also involve the gain or loss of oxygen or hydrogen by substances.
Oxidation is the gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen. Reduction is the loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen.