Chapter 1, Problem 6A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: 

Examples of chemical reactions in everyday life needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: Every matter is made of chemicals; the importance of chemistry is that it's the study of everything. Chemistry is all about how something interacts to affect the structure, composition, as well as knowing properties of substances.

Answer to Problem 6A

Examples of chemical reactions in everyday life: Photosynthesis, Aerobic Cellular Respiration, Anaerobic Respiration, Combustion.

Explanation of Solution

Chemistry is included in every activity happening around us. It plays a significant role in everyone’s lives. Properties that can only be observed through a change in the chemical composition of a substance are called chemical properties. In a chemical change, a new substance is formed and absorption of energy or loss of energy occurs; it is an irreversible change. In chemical changes absorption and evolution of heat take place. The chemical changes are irreversible.

Examples of chemical reactions in everyday life are mentioned below:

• Photosynthesis: In this process, plants produce food by converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Chemical reaction of this process is:

    $6C{O}_2+6H_{2}O+light\to C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2$

  This process is irreversible change. So, this is a chemical change.

• Aerobic Cellular Respiration: This is an opposite process of Photosynthesis. This is the process that extracts energy from food in the presence of oxygen-obligate aerobes. Chemical reaction of this process is:

    $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2\to 6C{O}_2+6H_{2}O+Energy\left(36ATPs\right)$

  This process is irreversible change. So, this is a chemical change.

• Anaerobic Respiration: It is defined as a set of chemical reactions that allows cells to gain energy from complex molecules without oxygen. Chemical reaction of this process is:

    $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6\to 2C_2{H}_{5}OH+2C{O}_2+Energy$

  This process is irreversible change. So, this is a chemical change.

• Combustion: It combines energetic molecules with $O$ to produce $C{O}_2$ and $H_{2}O$ . Every single time when a person strikes a match, he/ she will see the combustion reaction. This process is irreversible change. So, this is a chemical change.

• Rust: After coming in contact with air, iron develops brownish flaky coating, called rust. Chemical reaction of this process is:

    $Fe+O_2+H_{2}O\to F{e}_2{O}_3.X{H}_{2}O$

  This process is irreversible change. So, this is a chemical change.

Conclusion

Chemistry plays a significant role in meeting human needs for health care products, food, and other materials aimed at improving and enhancing the quality of life.