Chapter 1 Chemical Reactions and Equations
NCERT Class 10th
Science SOLUTIONS

Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air?
When magnesium is kept in the open air for some time, it reacts slowly with the oxygen in the air to form a thin, white layer of magnesium oxide (MgO) on its surface. This layer sticks tightly to the metal and prevents the fresh magnesium underneath from coming in direct contact with oxygen.
Before burning magnesium in an experiment, this oxide layer must be removed by rubbing the ribbon with sandpaper or a file. This exposes the shiny surface of pure magnesium, which reacts easily and quickly with oxygen when heated.
When clean magnesium is burned, it reacts vigorously with oxygen to form magnesium oxide, producing a bright white flame and intense heat.
Reasons for cleaning the ribbon:
- To remove the oxide layer (MgO).
- To ensure smooth and complete combustion.
- To allow accurate observation of the reaction.
Chemical Reactions and EquationsMore Questions on Chemical Reactions and Equations
In the refining of silver, the recovery of silver from silver nitrate solution involved displacement by copper metal. Write down the reaction involved.
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What is the difference between displacement and double displacement reactions? Write equations for these reactions.
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Write one equation each for decomposition reactions where energy is supplied in the form of heat, light or electricity.
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Why are decomposition reactions called the opposite of combination reactions? Write equations for these reactions
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What is a balanced chemical equation? Why should chemical equations be balanced?
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What happens when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to iron fillings? Tick the correct answer. (a) Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced. (b) Chlorine gas and iron hydroxide are produced. (c) No reaction takes place. (d) Iron salt and water are produced
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FeβOβ + 2Al β AlβOβ + 2Fe The above reaction is an example of a (a) combination reaction. (b) double displacement reaction. (c) decomposition reaction. (d) displacement reaction.
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Identify the substances that are oxidised and the substances that are reduced in the following reactions. (i) 4Na(s) + O2(g) β 2Na2O(s) (ii) CuO(s) + H2(g) β Cu(s) + H2O(l)
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Why does the colour of copper sulphate solution change when an iron nail is dipped in it?
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A solution of a substance βXβ is used for whitewashing. (i) Name the substance βXβ and write its formula. (ii) Write the reaction of the substance βXβ named in (i) above with water.
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Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the following reactions. (i) Solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulphate in water react to give insoluble barium sulphate and the solution of sodium chloride. (ii) Sodium hydroxide solution (in water) reacts with hydrochloric acid solution (in water) to produce sodium chloride solution and water
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Write the balanced equation for the following chemical reactions. (i) Hydrogen + Chlorine β Hydrogen chloride (ii) Barium chloride + Aluminium sulphate β Barium sulphate + Aluminium chloride (iii) Sodium + Water β Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen
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A solution of substance βXβ is used for white washing. What is the substance βXβ? State the chemical reaction of βXβ with water.
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Hydrogen being a highly inflammable gas and oxygen being a supporter of combustion, yet water which is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen is used to extinguish fire. Why?
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1 g of copper powder was taken in a China dish and heated. What change takes place on heating? When hydrogen gas is passed over this heated substance, a visible change is seen in it. Give the chemical equations of reactions, the name and the colour of the products formed in each case.
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A shiny brown coloured element βXβ on heating in air becomes black in colour. Name the element βXβ and the black coloured compound formed.
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