chemical reaction

American  

[kem-i-kuhl ree-ak-shuhn] / ˈkɛm ɪ kəl riˈæk ʃən /

noun

1. Chemistry. reaction.

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chemical reaction British  

noun

1. a process that involves changes in the structure and energy content of atoms, molecules, or ions but not their nuclei Compare nuclear reaction

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chemical reaction Cultural  

1. A process in which atoms of the same or different elements rearrange themselves to form a new substance. While they do so, they either absorb heat or give it off.

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Etymology

Origin of chemical reaction

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

The material activates two separate chemical reactions once inside a tumor cell, overwhelming it with oxidative stress while leaving surrounding healthy tissue unharmed.

From Science Daily

Parts of Jupiter's circumplanetary disk appear to have reached temperatures high enough to drive the chemical reactions needed to create these complex molecules.

From Science Daily

Photocatalysts are materials that absorb light and use that energy to drive chemical reactions.

From Science Daily

The absence of the other six products indicates that the molecules were not created by random chemical reactions in the environment.

From Science Daily

Form’s iron-air batteries generate electricity through a chemical reaction involving oxygen, water and iron powder that mimics how old pieces of metal gather rust.

From Barron's

Related Words

• vicious circle