Examples of Chemical Change

Chemical Change is a change in which one substance change into new form whose property is unique and different as compared to previous form. Chemical change is irreversible in nature. Examples of chemical change include combustion, the oxidation of glucose, and all chemical reactions.

In this article, we will learn about various examples of chemical changes along with the basic definition of chemical change. We will also learn possible chemical reactions for the examples of chemical changes.

Chemical Changes Definition

Chemical change, sometimes referred to as chemical reactions, is the change that leads to the creation of new substances that differ chemically from the original substances. One or more substances may change into new ones as a result of a chemical change that breaks existing chemical bonds and forms new ones.

What are Examples of Chemical Changes?

We can study the examples of chemical changes by classifying them into the following two categories:

• Organic Chemical Changes
• Inorganic Chemical Changes

The details of these two types of examples of chemical changes is discussed below:

Organic Chemical Changes

Organic chemical changes refer to chemical changes in substances that are mostly made up of carbon and hydrogen. They frequently combine with additional elements that are frequently present in or generated from living things, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, etc.

Examples of Organic Chemical Changes

The examples of organic chemical changes are mentioned below

• Food digestion in the stomach
• Grape fermentation to create wine
• Glucose oxidation during cellular respiration
• Organic matter breakdown during composting
• Monomers are polymerized to create polymers.

Reactions of Organic Chemical Changes

The reactions for organic chemical changes are mentioned below:

Food Digestion in the Stomach

Our food mainly consists of three macronutrients namely carbohydrates, fats and protein. These macronutrients react with HCl present in our stomach and break down into simpler molecules. Food proteins with hydrochloric acid (HCl) produce peptides and amino acids, as an example of a reaction. The reaction for them is shown below:

Starch + Salivary Amylase (inactive in stomach) → Maltose

Triglycerides + Gastric Lipase → Fatty Acids + Monoglycerides

Proteins + HCl + Pepsin → Peptides + Amino Acids

Grapes’ fermentation to create wine

The reaction for fermentation of grape is given below:

Glucose ⟶ Ethanol + Carbon dioxide

Glucose oxidation during cellular respiration

During respiration, glucose get oxidized to give energy. The reaction for the same is given below:

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ ⟶ 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)

Organic matter breakdown during composting

Organic matters such as vegetable and animal waste breaks down due to actions of microorganisms.

Organic matter + Water ⟶ Methane + Humus

Monomers undergo Polymerization

Monomers such as ethene undergoes polymerization to yield polymer called polyethene. The reaction for the same is given below:

[CH₂=CH₂]_n → [-CH₂-CH₂-]_n

Inorganic Chemical Changes

Inorganic Chemical Changes are the chemical changes in substances that do not have carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds or its substituents. Inorganic substances can be minerals, salts, metals, and other inanimate objects.

Examples of Inorganic Chemical Changes

• The oxidation of iron in the presence of oxygen and water is known as rusting.
• Silver nitrate and sodium chloride precipitate to generate silver chloride
• Burning coal to create water and carbon dioxide
• Nitrogen and hydrogen gases combine to form ammonia.
• Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide undergo a neutralization process that yields sodium chloride and water.

Reactions of Inorganic Chemical Changes

The chemical reactions of inorganic chemical changes are mentioned below:

Rusting of iron

4Fe + 3O₂ + 6H₂O ⟶ 4Fe(OH)₃ (iron hydroxide) + 2Fe₂O₃ (iron oxide)

Precipitation reaction of silver nitrate and sodium chloride to form silver chloride:

AgNO₃ (aq) + NaCl (aq) ⟶ AgCl (s) + NaNO₃ (aq)

Combustion of coal to produce carbon dioxide and water

C(s) + O₂(g) ⟶ CO₂(g)

H₂(g) + ½O₂(g) ⟶ H₂O(l)

Formation of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases

N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) ⟶ 2NH₂(g)

Neutralization reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide to produce water and sodium chloride:

HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) ⟶ H₂O (l) + NaCl (aq)

Examples of Chemical Change: Conclusion

Chemical alterations have a significant impact on industrial applications, biological processes, and natural processes in our daily lives. Comprehending these shifts aids in our understanding of the environment we live in and the creation of new technologies for diverse applications.

Examples of Chemical Change FAQs

Is photosynthesis a chemical change?

Yes, photosynthesis is a chemical change

Can chemical changes be undone?

No, chemical changes can’t be undone as they are irreversible in nature

What distinguishes chemical change from physical change?

While chemical changes lead to the formation of new substances with distinct chemical properties, physical changes only affect a substance’s appearance or state without affecting its chemical composition

Are all chemical reactions exothermic?

No, reactions can be either endothermic—absorbing heat—or exothermic—releasing heat.

What are chemical changes that go inside human body?

Metabolism, cellular respiration, digestion, and biomolecule synthesis are example of chemical changes inside human body