How do you know a chemical reaction has taken place?
Question
How do you know a chemical reaction has taken place?
Solution
A chemical reaction has taken place if you observe one or more of the following:
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Change in Color: One of the most common signs of a chemical reaction is a change in color. For example, when you mix copper sulfate solution (blue) with iron (silver), the solution turns green, indicating a chemical reaction has occurred.
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Formation of a Precipitate: A precipitate is a solid that forms during a chemical reaction. It usually settles at the bottom of the container holding the reaction mixture. For example, when you mix solutions of silver nitrate and sodium chloride, a white precipitate of silver chloride forms.
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Formation of a Gas: The formation of a gas is another sign that a chemical reaction has occurred. For example, when you mix baking soda and vinegar, carbon dioxide gas is produced, which you can observe as bubbles in the mixture.
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Change in Temperature: A chemical reaction may be accompanied by a change in temperature. For example, when you mix baking soda and vinegar, the mixture gets colder. This is an example of an endothermic reaction. In an exothermic reaction, the mixture gets hotter.
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Change in Odor: A new smell may indicate that a chemical reaction has occurred. For example, when you cook an egg, the smell changes because of the chemical reactions occurring.
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Change in Light: Some chemical reactions produce light. These are called chemiluminescent reactions. For example, the reaction that occurs in a glow stick when you crack it is a chemiluminescent reaction.
Remember, not all changes are due to chemical reactions. Some are physical changes, which do not produce new substances. For example, when you melt ice, it changes from solid to liquid, but it is still water.
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