During a chemical reaction, substances known as reactants undergo a transformation to form new substances called products. Here are the key processes that occur during a chemical reaction:
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Bond Breaking and Formation: The bonds between atoms in the reactants are broken, and new bonds are formed to create the products. This involves the rearrangement of atoms and the energy changes associated with bond breaking and making.
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Energy Changes: Chemical reactions often involve energy changes. Some reactions absorb energy (endothermic) while others release energy (exothermic). The energy change can be observed as heat, light, or sound.
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Conservation of Mass: In a closed system, the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products due to the law of conservation of mass. This means that atoms are neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction.
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Rearrangement of Atoms: The atoms of the reactants are rearranged into different structures to form the products. This can result in changes to the properties of the substances involved.
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Reaction Rate: The rate at which a chemical reaction occurs can be affected by various factors, including concentration, temperature, pressure, and the presence of catalysts, which can speed up the reaction without being consumed.
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Chemical Equilibrium: In some reactions, especially reversible reactions, the process can reach a state of equilibrium where the reactants and products are formed at the same rate, leading to a constant concentration of each.
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Observational Changes: Many chemical reactions can be identified by observable changes, such as color changes, gas production (bubbles), precipitation (solid formation), or temperature changes.
In summary, during a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged, energy is exchanged, and new substances are formed, all while adhering to the principles of conservation of mass.