Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions explain how substances transform into new substances through the breaking and making of chemical bonds. This topic sits at the center of chemistry because it ties together atoms, conservation of mass, formulas, and reaction types. Start with the basics of balancing and identifying reactions, then use interactive tools and labs to see how stoichiometry, energy, and reaction behavior work in practice.
Learning Path
Chemical Reactions and Balancing Equations
Build a strong foundation in reaction symbols, reactants and products, and the rule that atoms must be conserved in a balanced equation.
Open →Balance Chemical Equations
Practice balancing equations interactively and see how coefficients change without changing the substances themselves.
Open →Chemical Reactions Lab
Test different reaction setups, observe signs of chemical change, and connect visible evidence to the underlying equation.
Open →Reaction Essentials
Keep these core ideas handy as you work through problems and lab observations.
- Reactants are the starting substances; products are the new substances formed.
- Balanced equations obey conservation of mass, so atoms are rearranged rather than created or destroyed.
- Common reaction evidence includes gas formation, precipitates, temperature change, color change, and light.
More Resources
Tools
Labs
Worksheets
Cheat Sheets
Infographics
Explainers
Common Questions
What is a chemical reaction in simple terms?
A chemical reaction is a process where atoms are rearranged to make new substances with different properties from the starting materials.
Why do chemical equations need to be balanced?
They need to be balanced because the number of each type of atom must be the same on both sides, which reflects conservation of mass.