Question

$\begin{array}{ll}5.3 & \text { Aluminum metal reacts with oxygen gas in the air to give } \\ & \text { aluminum oxide solid. Identify the reactants and products } \\ & \text { in this reaction. } \\ 5.4 & \text { Nitrogen gas and solid iodine form in an explosiAluminum metal reacts with oxygen gas in the air to give aluminum oxide solid. Identify the reactants and products in this reaction.

Short answer

The reactants in this reaction are Aluminum metal and oxygen gas and the product is Aluminum oxide solid.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reactants

The reactants of a chemical reaction are the substances that start the reaction. In this case, Aluminum metal and oxygen gas are the reactants. They are the substances that react with each other to start the reaction.

Identify the products

The products of a chemical reaction are the substances that are produced as a result of the reaction. In this case, the product of the reaction is aluminum oxide solid. This is the substance that is formed as a result of the reaction.

Key concepts

Reactants and Products

In every chemical reaction, there are substances that are altered and transformed into new substances. These are known as reactants and products.
Reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction. They undergo chemical changes as the reaction progresses. In our example with aluminum metal and oxygen gas, aluminum (Al) and oxygen (O₂) serve as reactants.
On the other hand, products are substances that are produced by the end of the chemical reaction. Products have different chemical properties and compositions compared to the reactants. Following the reaction between aluminum and oxygen, the resulting product is aluminum oxide.
This transformation takes place through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, allowing the reactants to convert into new compounds with distinctive characteristics. Understanding which substances serve as the reactants and which are the products is crucial for studying and controlling chemical reactions effectively.

Aluminum Oxide

Aluminum oxide, often represented as Al₂O₃, is an important chemical compound formed through the reaction of aluminum and oxygen.
Aluminum oxide is a white, solid compound that has a variety of industrial and commercial applications, such as in ceramics, abrasives, and as an electrical insulator.
This compound is notable for its chemical stability and resistance to corrosion. Its formation from aluminum and oxygen involves a combination reaction where oxygen atoms bond with aluminum atoms.
Each aluminum atom bonds with three oxygen atoms, forming a crystal lattice structure, which gives aluminum oxide its hardness and durability.
These properties make aluminum oxide an essential material in various fields, from manufacturing to electronics.

Oxygen Gas

Oxygen gas (O₂) is a vital diatomic molecule that is essential for life and many chemical reactions. It is colorless, odorless, and found in the Earth's atmosphere.
In chemical reactions, oxygen gas is often an oxidizing agent, meaning it accepts electrons from other substances.
In the reaction with aluminum, oxygen gas reacts to form the solid product, aluminum oxide. This occurs when aluminum atoms donate electrons to oxygen atoms, resulting in the formation of Al₂O₃.
Oxygen gas plays a pivotal role in reactions involving combustion, oxidation, and various industrial processes.

• It is used extensively in the production of steel and plastics.
• Oxygen gas supports respiration in living organisms.
• It is also crucial in water treatment and sterilization processes.

Understanding the role of oxygen gas in chemical reactions is essential for both scientific and environmental applications.