examples of chemical changes in everyday life
Examples of Chemical Changes in Everyday Life
The following article will give you some examples of chemical changes in everyday life that will clear many important concepts.
- Synthesis Reaction
- Decomposition Reaction
- Double Displacement Reaction
- Neutralization Reaction
- Precipitation Reaction
- Combustion Reaction
- Redox Reaction
- We cite the combustion process of methane gas to produce carbon dioxide and water. Methane gas when burns in the presence of oxygen produces these two chemical elements as products. Thus, the energy produced makes methane one of the most widely used fuels.
- The decomposition process of dead organic and inorganic matter is an example. You might have seen that the organic waste or dead animals undergo gradual degradation and they finally mix with the soil. The chemical reactions that assist the process result in producing sharp odor, which is a solid evidence.
- One of the best instances is the process of photosynthesis. This is a process by which plants synthesize food and release oxygen as the by-product. A series of chemical reactions takes place inside the body of the aerobic plants and microorganisms during photosynthesis.
- The most common example is cooking. We prepare food with heat. When we heat food, orientation of the atoms change. The enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients contained in raw food change when heated. This irreversible change forms a very good example.
- The process of rusting is also an example. We see that when iron is exposed to water and oxygen, it gets coated with a brown layer. This takes place when iron reacts with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of water to form different oxides of iron, having the typical brownish red color, called rust.
- Natural ripening of fruits is an instance. Gradually, they rot and produce odor. This takes place when the enzymes start degrading the biological substances contained in the fruits. The process is further accentuated by carbides and ethylene gas. So, next time you observe fruits ripening, try to find out the chemistry associated with it.
- One of the most complex chemical change is cracking of hydrocarbons. In this process, the organic molecules like heavy hydrocarbons are broken down into simpler ones (breaking the chemical bond) in the presence of high energy and light. Pyrolysis of alkane to produce alkenes and ethylene dichloride to produce PVC are good examples of chemical changes.