Chemical reactions are happening all the time around use and we just don’t realize it. Ever clean your kitchen with something other than water? Ever rinse with mouth wash? Have you seen the glorious baking soda and vinegar volcano that is so popular at science fairs? Chemical reactions happen when molecules from one substance break apart and combine, to some degree, with another. This usually is irreversible and forms a new substance all together. Some reactions give off heat, like hand warmers. Some take in heat (get colder). Instant ice packs are an example of that. Some reactions give off brilliant colors. Where do you think firework reactions come from?
Reaction can take place quickly or slowly depending on the nature of the substances involved. If you tried to form rust from some iron, it can take an average of two weeks. On the other hand, if you put hydrochloric acid in the presence of sodium hydroxide you will get a reaction that produces salt and water in seconds. These worksheets will look at all the different types of chemical reaction you will see in any science curriculum. This group of sheets really focuses on understanding how a reaction can be understood from the molecular masses all the way through to diagramming the reaction that takes place.