Chemical Reactions

4.7  Types of Chemical Reactions

Essential Knowledge:

*These are taken directly from College Board

• Acid-base reactions involve transfer of one or more protons between chemical species. (TRA-2.A.1)  

• Oxidation-reduction reactions involve transfer of one or more electrons between chemical species, as indicated by changes in oxidation numbers of the involved species. Combustion is an important subclass of oxidation reduction reactions, in which a species reacts with oxygen gas. In the case of hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and water are products of complete combustion. (TRA-2.A.2) 

• In a redox reaction, electrons are transferred from the species that is oxidized to the species that is reduced. (TRA-2.A.3)  

THE MEANING OF THE TERMS “REDUCING AGENT” AND “OXIDIZING AGENT” WILL NOT BE ASSESSED ON THE AP EXAM. Rationale: Understanding this terminology is not necessary for reasoning about redox chemistry.

• Oxidation numbers may be assigned to each of the atoms in the reactants and products; this is often an effective way to identify the oxidized and reduced species in a redox reaction. (TRA-2.A.4)   

• Precipitation reactions frequently involve mixing ions in aqueous solution to produce an insoluble or sparingly soluble ionic compound. All sodium, potassium, ammonium, and nitrate salts are soluble in water. (TRA-2.A.5)   

ROTE MEMORIZATION OF “SOLUBILITY RULES” OTHER THAN THOSE IMPLIED IN TRA-2.A.5 (bullet point above) WILL NOT BE ASSESSED ON THE AP EXAM.