Chapter 6
The nature of chemical reactions
Catalyst – A substance that changes the rate of reaction with out being consumed or
changed significantly.
Combustion Reaction – The oxidation reaction of an organic compound, in which heat is
released.
Chemical energy – the energy released when a chemical compound reacts to form new
compounds
Chemical reaction – a representation of a chemical reaction that used symbols to show
the relationship between the reactants and products.
Chemical equilibrium, - A state of balance in which the rate of a forward reaction equals
the rate of the reverse reaction and the concentration of reactants and products remains
unchanged.
Decomposition reactions - A reaction in which a single compound breaks down to form
two or more simpler substances.
Double Displacement Reaction – A reaction in which a gas, solid precipitate, or a
molecular compound forms from the apparent exchange of atoms or ions between two
compounds.
Electrolysis- The process in which an electric current is used to produce a chemical
reaction, such as the decomposition of water.
Endothermic reactions - A chemical reaction requiring heat
Enzyme – a type of protein that speeds up metabolic reactions in plants and animals
without being permanently changed or destroyed
Exothermic reactions – a chemical reaction in which heat is released to the surroundings
Mole Ratio – The relative number of moles of the substances required to produce a given
amount of product in a chemical reaction.
Oxidation Reduction Reaction – any chemical change in which one species is oxidized
(loses electrons) and another species is reduced (gains electrons). It is also called a redox
reaction.
Product – A substance that forms in a chemical reaction
Radical – An organic group that has one or more electrons available for bonding.
Reactant – a substance or molecules that participates in a chemical reaction.
Single Displacement Reaction – A reaction in which one element or radical takes the lace
of another element or radical in a compound.
Substrate - A part, substance or element that lies beneath and supports another part,
substrate, or element; the reactant in reactions catalyzed by enzymes
Synthesis Reaction – a reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a new
compound.