Reaction Definition in Chemistry

A reaction or chemical reaction is a chemical change which forms new substances.  In other words, reactants react to form products that have a different chemical formula. Indications a reaction has occurred include temperature change, color change, bubble formation, and/or precipitate formation. Chemical Reactions Take Different Forms The major types of chemical reaction are: Synthesis or Direct Combination Reaction - Reactants form a more complex product.Decomposition or Analysis Reaction - A reactant breaks into two or more smaller products.Single Displacement or Replacement Reaction - Also called a substitution reaction, this occurs when the ion from one reactant changes place with another.Double Displacement or Replacement Reaction - Also called a metathesis reaction, this occurs when both cations and anions of the reactants trade places to form products. While some reactions involve a change in the state of matter (e.g., liquid to gas phase), a phase change is not necessarily an indicator of a reaction. For example, melting ice into water is not a chemical reaction because the reactant is chemically identical to the product. Reaction Example: The chemical reaction H 2(g)  ½ O 2(g) → H 2O(l) describes the formation of water from its elements.