Chemical phenomena in everyday life

The world around us, with all its richness and diversity, lives by the laws, which are easily explained with the help of such sciences as physics and chemistry. And even in the basis of the vital activity of such a complex organism as man, lies nothing but chemical phenomena and processes.

Definitions and examples

An elementary example is a kettle set on fire. After a while, the water will begin to heat up, then boil. We will hear a characteristic hiss, the jets of steam will fly out of the mouth of the kettle. Where did it come from, because it was not originally in the dishes! Yes, but water, at a certain temperature, begins to turn into a gas, changing its physical state from liquid to gaseous. Those. She remained the same water, only now in the form of steam. This is a physical phenomenon.

And we will see chemical phenomena if we drop a packet of tea tea into the boiling water. Water in a glass or other vessel will turn red-brown. There will be a chemical reaction: under the influence of heat, the tea leaves will begin to fuse, highlighting the color pigments and taste properties inherent in this plant. We will get a new substance - a drink with specific, characteristic only to it qualitative characteristics. If we add a few spoonfuls of sugar to it, it will dissolve (physical reaction), and the tea will become sweet (chemical reaction). Thus, physical and chemical phenomena are often connected and interdependent. For example, if the same tea bag is placed in cold water, no reaction will occur, the tea leaves and water will not interact, and sugar will not dissolve too.

Thus, chemical phenomena are those in which some substances turn into others (water in tea, water in syrup, firewood in ashes, etc.) Otherwise, a chemical phenomenon is called a chemical reaction.

Physical phenomena are those in which the chemical composition of a substance remains the same, and the aggregate state, body size, shape, etc. changes. (Deformed spring, water frozen in the ice, a branch of a tree, broken in half).

Conditions of occurrence and leakage

About whether chemical and physical phenomena occur, we can judge by some signs and changes that are observed in this or that body or substance. Thus, most chemical reactions are accompanied by the following "identification signs":

• As a result or when a precipitate occurs, precipitates;
• The color of the substance changes;
• Gas may be released, for example, carbon monoxide during combustion;
• There is absorption or, conversely, the release of heat;
• It is possible to emit light.

For chemical phenomena to be observed, i.e. Reactions occurred, some conditions are necessary:

• Reacting substances must touch, be in contact with each other (ie the same brew should be poured into a mug with boiling water);
• The substance is better to grind, then the reaction will proceed faster, rather the interaction will come (sugar will dissolve, melt in hot water than lumps);
• So that many reactions can occur, you need to change the temperature of the reacting components, cooling or heating them to a certain temperature.

Observe the chemical phenomenon can be experienced. But you can describe it on paper with the help of a chemical equation ( chemical reaction equation ).

Some of these conditions also work for the emergence of physical phenomena, for example, temperature changes or direct contact of objects, bodies with each other. Suppose, if you hit hard enough with a hammer on the nail head, it can deform, lose its usual shape. But she will remain the nail head. Or, when the electric bulb is plugged into the mains, the tungsten filament inside it starts to bask and glow. However, the substance from which the filament is made, and will remain the same tungsten.

The description of physical processes and phenomena occurs through physical formulas, the solution of physical problems.