In this text we have already seen many chemical reactions. Now let’s consider an important question: Why does a chemical reaction occur? What causes reactants to “want” to form products? As chemists have studied reactions, they have recognized several “tendencies” in reactants that drive them to form products. That is, there are several “driving forces” that pull reactants toward products—changes that tend to make reactions go in the direction of the arrow. The most common of these driving forces are
1. Formation of a solid
2. Formation of water
3. Transfer of electrons
4. Formation of a gas
When two or more chemicals are brought together, if any of these things can occur, a chemical change (a reaction) is likely to take place. Accordingly, when we are confronted with a set of reactants and want to predict whether a reaction will occur and what products might form, we will consider these driving forces. They will help us organize our thoughts as we encounter new reactions.
1. Formation of a solid
2. Formation of water
3. Transfer of electrons
4. Formation of a gas
When two or more chemicals are brought together, if any of these things can occur, a chemical change (a reaction) is likely to take place. Accordingly, when we are confronted with a set of reactants and want to predict whether a reaction will occur and what products might form, we will consider these driving forces. They will help us organize our thoughts as we encounter new reactions.