Chemical reactions in everyday life

Introduction

Chemical fractions can be seen everywhere in the daily lives of the environment. It is taking place constantly around the human world starting from the flaky brown later on the surface of an iron to the burning caused by bright light crackers used in festivals. The reactions happening on daily basis can be categorized based on their functions in daily lives.

What are chemical reactions in daily life?

Chemical reactions in daily lives are the chemical phenomenon that takes place when two or more molecules interact with each other for the formation of new products in real-time. It is a common process, constantly taking place in our daily lives (Yaclass, 2022). It can be seen occurring everywhere in the world around humans, especially in the small to medium incidents that take place in our daily lives.

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Figure 1: Chemical reactions in daily life

For example, chemical reactions happen during photosynthesis within plants. The process of photosynthesis is utterly based on the amalgamation of different chemicals stored in the body of the plants. Another chemical reaction can be seen within the human body in the times of digestion.

Types of daily life chemical reactions

Chemical reactions are very common in daily lives and they can be segmented into different categories based on their functioning ground in daily lives.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a chemical process used by plants for making their foods within their body. The preparation of foods for plants is a prime example of chemical reactions where plants manufacture glucose by chemically mixing chlorophyll and sunlight along with the support of water and carbon dioxide from the environment (Ryu et al. 2019).

In the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll, plants start producing glucose in the form of energy. The chemical formula for photosynthesis is ${6CO_2+6H_2O\rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6(aq)+6O_2(g)}$

Cellular respiration

In humans, the process of respiration is conducted through the lungs which eventually involves a chemical reaction within the body. During the reaction, glucose molecules intend to undergo an oxidation reaction and produced water and carbon dioxide along with energy. The formula for cellular respiration within the human body is ${C_6H_{12}O_6(aq)+6O_2(q)\rightarrow 6CO_2(g)+6H_2O(I)+energy}$

Anaerobic respiration

Anaerobic respiration takes place when an object undergoes the processes of fermentation. This process ideally takes place within the living organisms that contain starch and sugar in real-time. In this process, the ‘sugar and starch gets converted into acids, alcohol and gases due to the anaerobic respiration chemical reaction. The chemical reaction for anaerobic respiration is repeated through the formula of ${C_6H_{12}O_6\rightarrow 2C_2H_5OH+2CO_2}$

Combustion

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Figure 2: Combustion

Combustion is a 'chemical reaction that can be seen everywhere in daily lives, especially in situations where materials are oxidized in the presence of oxygen from the environment. The process of combustion produces smoke, ash and other potential gases when it is exposed to both oxygen and 'heat at the same time (Grc.nasa, 2022).

The formula for this type of chemical reaction is ${C+O_2\rightarrow CO_2}$

Acid-base reactions

Acid-base reactions are very common in daily lives, especially when the weaker acids are produced within the mouth during the night. This particularly happens due to the neutralization of bacteria and sugary foods in the presence of base that is present within the toothpaste that is used on an everyday basis. This process eventually helps in giving the layer of the metal clean and a new fresh layer of the metal that gets exposed to the air.

Rusting

Rusting is generally controlled by the chemical reactions of oxidation that happens in presence of oxygen. During this process, a brown flaky later is formed over the surfaces of the metals. Typically, this is termed the rust which is eventually created by the chemical reaction of rusting (Mahata & Bose, 2018). A similar type of layer can be spotted when other metals like silver is exposed to oxidation in real-time. The formula for oxidation is represented as

$${Fe+3O_2+xH_2O\rightarrow Fe_3O_4.xH_2O}$$

Examples of chemical reactions in daily lives

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Figure 3: Examples of chemical fractions in daily lives

Ample examples can be found in daily lives if looked into it from the perspective of chemical reactions. Starting from burning of paper and coking of food to ripening of fruits and rusting of iron, everything is an example of chemical reactions in the daily lives (Thoughtco, 2022). Additionally, baking of cake, heating of sugar, cooking an egg and souring of milk are some of the examples of chemical reactions in daily lives.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of chemical reactions is taking place everywhere, every time and it holds a strong influence on the daily human lives in real-time. With its different types, chemical reactions possess a stronghold over the daily lives. Starting from photosynthesis, and rusting to cellular respiration and acid-base reaction, chemical reactions are present everywhere in daily lives. So, for humans, plants and the environment, chemical reactions are extremely necessary, especially for maintaining the well-being of the environment in real-time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which components are taken from the environment during the chemical reaction of photosynthesis?

During photosynthesis plants start taking carbon dioxide and water into consideration from the environment and start the process of photosynthesis. With the help of these two components, the process of photosynthesis takes place within the plant's bodies.

Q2. How the acid-base reaction is signified with chemical equations?

Acid-base reaction is generally signified with acid + base ${\rightarrow}$ salt + water. The chemical equation for this type of reaction is presented with the formula of ${CH_3COOH+FeO\rightarrow CH_3COOFe+H_2O}$

Q3. How the process of digestion takes place within the human body?

After the human body starts digesting foods, it uses a few chemicals present within the body to successfully break down the foods. This also makes it simpler for the stomach to digest the food successfully.

References

Journals

Mahata, B. K., & Bose, P. (2018). Arsenic adsorption on rusting iron nails. J. Indian Chem. Soc, 95, 223-230. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net

Ryu, Y., Berry, J. A., & Baldocchi, D. D. (2019). What is global photosynthesis? History, uncertainties and opportunities. Remote sensing of environment, 223, 95-114. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com

Websites

Grc.nasa, (2022). Combustion. Retrieved from: https://www.grc.nasa.gov[Retrieved on 25th June, 2022]

Thoughtco, (2022). Examples of chemical reactions. Retrieved from: https://www.thoughtco.com [Retrieved on 25th June, 2022]

Yaclass, (2022). Chemical reactions in daily lives. Retrieved from: https://www.yaclass.in [Retrieved on 25th June, 2022]