chemical reaction
Bonds break, reform
A chemical reaction is a process in which substances transform into different substances through the rearrangement of atoms and molecules.
The starting materials, called reactants, undergo changes in their chemical bonds to produce new substances called products.
Chemical reactions range from the simple, like iron rusting or wood burning, to the complex biochemical processes that sustain life.
The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide gas.
Agent enabling change
- reactantsSubstances entering a reaction
- productsItems made for sale
- equilibriumState of balance
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
kinetics · enzyme · enthalpy · exothermic · endothermic · stoichiometry · inhibitor · mechanism
Water-induced bond cleavage
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- catabolismMetabolic molecular dismantling
- electrolysisCurrent-induced ionic separation
cracking · dissociation · breakdown · digestion · respiration · combustion · corrosion · rusting
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- elixirMythical healing draught
- alchemistsSeekers of elemental transformation
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
magnum opus · quintessence · crucible · alembic · hermeticism · esoteric · occultism · potion
Monomers bonding into chains
- esterificationForming esters chemically
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- saponificationFat-alkali reaction making soap
amino acids · proteins · carbohydrates · lipids · anabolism · reagents · molecules · compounds
Sudden important advance
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
- electroplatingElectrically depositing metal layers
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
Nobel Prize · Lavoisier · Pasteur · innovation · research · pioneering
catalyst
Agent enabling change
- reactantsSubstances entering a reaction
- productsItems made for sale
- equilibriumState of balance
activation energy · kinetics · enzyme · enthalpy · exothermic · endothermic · stoichiometry · inhibitor · mechanism · thermodynamics
hydrolysis
Water-induced bond cleavage
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- catabolismMetabolic molecular dismantling
electrolysis · cracking · dissociation · breakdown · digestion · respiration · combustion · corrosion · rusting · biodegradation
transmutation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- elixirMythical healing draught
- alchemistsSeekers of elemental transformation
base metals · magnum opus · quintessence · crucible · alembic · hermeticism · esoteric · occultism · potion · tincture
polymerization
Monomers bonding into chains
- esterificationForming esters chemically
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
saponification · amino acids · proteins · carbohydrates · lipids · anabolism · reagents · molecules · compounds · condensation
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
- electroplatingElectrically depositing metal layers
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
experiment · Nobel Prize · Lavoisier · Pasteur · innovation · research · pioneering
- scientific phrasesbig bang, black hole, natural selection, climate change, genetic code
- science experimentsvolcano model, elephant toothpaste, color change, slime making, baking soda volcano
- chemistryatom, atoms, molecule, molecules, elements
- Lab Activitiesdissection, titration, chromatography, pipetting, centrifugation
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- laboratorybeaker, test tube, flask, microscope, pipette
chemical reactionphysical change
Alteration without molecular change
physical process · phase change · dissolution · evaporation · melting
chemical reactionchemical stability
Resistance to molecular change
inertness · equilibrium · stasis · chemical equilibrium · passivity
reaction, chemistry, chemical, chemist, pharmaceutical, chemically, biochemical, biochemically, chemical reactions