Question

While studying chemical reactions, a student wrote the following unbalanced chemical equation in a notebook: KI+CI2→KCI+I2KI+CI2→KCI+I2

• Identify the type of chemical reaction represented by the equation and explain your answer.
• Balance the equation.
• Explain why balancing the equation is important as it relates to the law of conservation of matter.
• Name and describe two other types of chemical reactions.

Identify the type of chemical reaction represented by the equation and explain your answer. Balance the equation. Explain why balancing the equation is important as it relates to the law of conservation of matter. Name and describe two other types of chemical reactions.

Answer 1

Answer: a) Single replacement reaction

b) $2KI+Cl_2\rightarrow 2KCl+I_2$

c) To make sure the mass remains conserved

d) Double displacement reaction and synthesis reaction

Explanation:

Single replacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which more reactive element displaces the less reactive element from its salt solution.

Example: $KI+Cl_2\rightarrow KCl+I_2$

Thus the reaction signifies that chlorine is more reactive than iodine and hence displaces it from its salt solution to form potassium chloride and iodine.

b) The balanced chemical equation is:

$2KI+Cl_2\rightarrow 2KCl+I_2$

c) According to the law of conservation of mass, mass can neither be created nor be destroyed. Thus the mass of products has to be equal to the mass of reactants. The number of atoms of each element has to be same on reactant and product side. Thus chemical equations are balanced. Hence the balanced chemical equation will be:

$2KI+Cl_2\rightarrow 2KCl+I_2$

d) Two other types of chemical reactions:

Double displacement reaction is one in which exchange of ions take place.  

Example: $2NaOH(aq)+(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)\rightarrow 2NH_4OH(aq)+Na_2SO_4(aq)$

Synthesis reaction is a chemical reaction in which two reactants are combining to form one product.

Example: $Li_2O+CO_2\rightarrow Li_2CO_3$