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What Are Reactants and Products in Chemical Reactions?

In a chemical reaction, substances change into new ones. We can break these substances into two main groups:

Reactants

  • What They Are: Reactants are the starting materials in a reaction.
  • Example: When hydrogen and oxygen combine to make water, hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) are the reactants.
  • Fun Fact: About 80% of reactions in chemistry involve two or more reactants.

Products

  • What They Are: Products are the new substances created after the reaction.
  • Example: In the same reaction, water (H₂O) is the product.
  • Fun Fact: How well reactants turn into products can differ, usually between 50% to 90%.

Knowing how to spot and sort these substances is important. It helps us understand how chemical processes work and how reactants and products relate to each other.

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What Are Reactants and Products in Chemical Reactions?

In a chemical reaction, substances change into new ones. We can break these substances into two main groups:

Reactants

  • What They Are: Reactants are the starting materials in a reaction.
  • Example: When hydrogen and oxygen combine to make water, hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) are the reactants.
  • Fun Fact: About 80% of reactions in chemistry involve two or more reactants.

Products

  • What They Are: Products are the new substances created after the reaction.
  • Example: In the same reaction, water (H₂O) is the product.
  • Fun Fact: How well reactants turn into products can differ, usually between 50% to 90%.

Knowing how to spot and sort these substances is important. It helps us understand how chemical processes work and how reactants and products relate to each other.

Related articles