Chapter 24 Vocabulary

Name:______________________

balanced chemical equation- chemical equation with the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation

chemical equation- shorthand method to describe chemical reactions using chemical formulas and other symbols

catalyst- substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being permanently changed itself

chemical reaction- process in which one or more substances are changed into new substances

coefficient- number in a chemical equation that represents the number of units of each substance taking part in a chemical reaction

decomposition reaction- chemical reaction in which one substance breaks down into two or more substances

double-displacement reaction- chemical reaction that produces a precipitate, water, or a gas when two ionic compounds in solution are combined

endergonic reaction- chemical reaction: requires energy to proceed

endothermic reaction- chemical reaction that requires heat energy to proceed

exergonic reaction- chemical reaction that releases some form of energy, such as light or heat

exothermic reaction- chemical reaction in which energy is primarily given off in the form of heat

inhibitor- substance that slows down a chemical reaction or prevents it from occurring by combining with a reactant

precipitate- insoluble compound that comes out of solution during a double-displacement reaction