What is a reaction
Reaction refers to the action that is generated as a result of a stimulusor the response to a specific action.
A reaction is also understood as that action of resistance that opposes something, such as “Ana reacted calmly even when Pedro made fun of her comment.”
The reaction can happen continuously and create a chain of reactions to a situation, for example, “Everyone reacted in fear when they saw the explosion in the distance.”
The word reaction derives from Latin and is composed of the prefix re- which means “backwards” and actiothis last word comes from the verb ageresynonymous with “do”, and with the suffix -unclewhich indicates “action” and “effect.”
The term reaction can be used in various contexts depending on the situation you wish to express, especially in the area of science.
Reaction in art
In the field of art, the term reaction is used to know what the public’s opinion is and whether the proposed goal was achieved in the screening of a film, theatrical performance, concert, exhibition of paintings or photographs, among others. “When I heard her sing, my reaction was to cry with emotion.”
Chemical reaction
It is the chemical process in which two or more substances, called reactants, are transformed into another substance different from the initial one by the action of an energetic factor. For example, the formation of iron oxide occurs when oxygen in the air reacts with iron.
exothermic reaction
It is a chemical reaction that releases energy, such as combustion.
Endothermic reaction
It is the chemical reaction that absorbs energy in the form of heat, however, in these reactions the energy of the product is greater than the energy of the reactants. Photosynthesis is an example: plants absorb energy from the sun and transform it into oxygen.
Synthesis reaction
The synthesis or composition reaction is a chemical reaction in which two simple substances, or reactants, combine and create a new substance or more complex product. For example, combining basic oxide with water generates hydroxide.
decomposition reaction
Chemical reaction in which two or more simple substances can be obtained from a reactant. There are thermal, catalytic and electrolytic decomposition reactions. For example, sodium carbonate at high temperature decomposes into sodium oxide and carbon dioxide.
Neutralization reaction
Chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base that allows determining the concentration of the substances in the solution.
Combustion reaction
It is based on the rapid exothermic reaction that originates from a mixture of combustible substances with oxygen. It is characterized by forming a hot flame that emits light during contact with fuel. For example, sulfur dioxide can arise from these reactions.
maillard reaction
It is a set of chemical reactions that occur between proteins and reducing sugars. For example, when a protein like chicken is cooked in the oven, it caramelizes and takes on a brown tone on the outside, as part of the reaction of its molecules that also add flavor and aroma to the food.
reversible reaction
The chemical reaction that occurs in both directions. That is, after the products of the first reaction are formed, they return to form the original products with a direct and reverse reaction rate, thus reaching chemical equilibrium.
See also: Chemical change.