The 11 types of chemical reactions

The different substances present in nature interact with each other continuously. Things as common as lighting a match, dissolving a drug in water or even our breathing, obey what are known as chemical reactions.

In this article we are going to see some of the most common types of chemical reactions, as well as explanations about their mechanics and the effects that these interactions between molecules produce.

Chemical reaction: explaining the concept

We understand by chemical reaction all that interaction between substances in which they are generated or broken chemical links, generating new compounds. The initial compounds are called reactants, while the result of the reaction is the products.

These reactions can be reversible in some cases, being able to return the reagents to their previous state, but in other cases they are consumed being said reaction irreversible. As the reaction occurs, there is a moment when an equilibrium between reactant and product occurs and the reaction ceases.

In any case, atoms are neither created nor destroyed, but only transformed, as happens with the conservation of energy. Chemical reactions are an example of how they can transform and go from being part of some molecules to being in others.

Main types of chemical reaction

There are a large number of possible ways in which the interaction between compounds occurs, presenting different characteristics and peculiarities. Some of the main types of chemical reactions between compounds are as follows.

1. Synthesis or addition reactions

In this type of chemical reaction, two or more substances combine to form a single compound.. The combination of metal and oxygen to form oxides is an example, since it gives rise to relatively small molecules. stable that in some cases can be used to manufacture common materials in our lives everyday.

2. Decomposition reactions

Decomposition reactions are those in which a particular compound decomposes and divides in two or more substances. This is what happens for example when the electrolysis of water occurs, separating the water into hydrogen and oxygen.

3. Displacement, substitution, or exchange reactions

One of the types of chemical reaction in which an element of a compound passes to another due to its interaction. In this case, the pierced element is attracted to the other component, which must have greater strength than the initial compound.

4. Ionic reactions

It is a type of chemical reaction that occurs when ionic compounds are exposed to a solvent.. The soluble compound dissolves, dissociating into ions.

5. Double substitution reactions

It is a reaction similar to that of substitution, with the exception that in this case one of the elements that make up one of the compounds passes the other at the same time that this second compound passes one of its own components to the first. It is necessary for the reaction to occur that at least one of the compounds does not dissolve.

6. Redox or redox reactions

It is called as such that type of chemical reaction in which there is an exchange of electrons. In oxidation reactions, one compound loses electrons in favor of the other, oxidizing. The other compound would be reduced by increasing its number of electrons.

These types of reactions occur both in nature and artificially. For example, it is the type of reaction that makes us need to breathe (by acquiring oxygen from the environment) or for plants to photosynthesize.

7. Combustion reactions

A type of extremely fast and energetic oxidation, in which an organic substance reacts with oxygen. This reaction generates energy (generally heat and light) and can generate flames, which usually results in a product in the form of a gas. A typical example is the combustion of a hydrocarbon or the consumption of glucose.

8. Neutralization reactions

This type of chemical reaction occurs when a basic substance and an acidic substance they interact in such a way that they are neutralized to form a neutral compound and water.

9. Nuclear reactions

It is called as such all that chemical reaction in which a modification is caused not of the electrons of the atoms, but of their nucleus. This combination or fragmentation will cause a high level of energy. The combination of atoms is called fusion, while their fragmentation is called fission.

10. Exothermic reactions

It is called an endothermic reaction to all that chemical reaction that causes the emission of energy. In general, these energy emotions are at least in the form of heat, although in cases where explosions occur, kinetic energy also appears.

11. Endothermic reactions

Endothermic reactions are all those types of chemical reaction in which the interaction between elements absorbs energy from the environment, being the final product much more energetic than the reagents.

Do Chemical Reactions Explain the World?

A reductionist view of reality could make us think that almost everything that happens in the world can be understood as chemical reactions. For example, the idea that human consciousness is actually the result of biochemical reactions in the brain is popular.

This way of thinking based on the interaction between subatomic elements, atoms and molecules (and their corresponding types of reactions chemical) is intuitive and easy to conceive, since starting from a series of relatively simple and identical elements in all parts of the cosmos, It is intended to explain the complexity of the phenomena that occur on a larger scale and that are linked to unique and unrepeatable contexts. We assume that to understand the complex, we must begin with what is not so complex and without which the rest of nature (including here the human) would not exist.

However, it must not be forgotten that nature is too complex to be studied only through this part of science, in the same way that it would be insufficient to study it exclusively from the physical. We must also pay attention to phenomena that occur at the macro level, to reach a degree of global understanding about what is happening around us and in our own body.

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