What Is a Chemical Reaction? SpinzyWheel
Powered by SpinzyWheel.comPowered by SpinzyWheel.comA chemical reaction happens when two or more substances combine or change to form something new. In other words, the molecules rearrange to create a new substance with different properties. 🌈
Think of it like cooking: when you bake a cake, flour, eggs, and sugar mix together and change in the oven — you can’t get the raw ingredients back! That’s because a chemical change has happened.
Chemical reactions are part of everything around us — from the rusting of metal 🪙, to the burning of wood 🔥, to how our bodies digest food 🍎. Every second, millions of tiny reactions are happening all around (and inside) us!
All matter is made of atoms, and atoms join together to make molecules. During a chemical reaction, the bonds between atoms are broken and new bonds form. This process creates new molecules.
Here’s how it usually goes:
1️⃣ Reactants — The substances you start with.
2️⃣ Reaction Process — Atoms break and rearrange.
3️⃣ Products — The new substances formed after the reaction.
For example:
Vinegar + Baking Soda → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Salt
🎈 You see bubbles because gas (carbon dioxide) is released!
You can often tell a chemical reaction is happening when you notice one or more of these signs:
💥 Change in color (e.g., metal rusting from silver to brown)
🔥 Change in temperature (reactions can give off or absorb heat)
🌫️ Formation of gas (bubbles or fizz appear)
🧊 Formation of a solid (a new solid appears from liquids — called a precipitate)
💨 Change in smell (new odors form as substances change)
These are clear clues that a new substance has been created.
Two or more substances join together to make one new compound.
Example: Hydrogen + Oxygen → Water 💧
One compound breaks apart into simpler substances.
Example: Water → Hydrogen + Oxygen
One element replaces another in a compound.
Example: Zinc + Hydrochloric Acid → Hydrogen Gas + Zinc Chloride
Two compounds switch partners to make new compounds.
Example: Baking soda + Vinegar reaction.
A substance reacts with oxygen to produce light and heat — usually flames!
Example: Burning wood or gasoline.
Chemical reactions are the engine of life and technology. They:
🌿 Help plants make food (photosynthesis)
💨 Let our bodies breathe and use oxygen
🏭 Power factories and industries
🚗 Fuel cars and airplanes
💊 Create medicines and cleaning products
Without chemical reactions, there would be no life, no fire, no energy, and no chocolate cake! 🎂
🧪 The first known chemical reaction was fire, discovered millions of years ago.
💨 Every time you breathe, your body does a chemical exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide.
🧬 Photosynthesis is one of the most important chemical reactions on Earth.
⚡ Batteries work through chemical reactions that make electricity.
🍋 Mixing lemon juice and baking soda creates fizzy carbon dioxide bubbles!