What causes the release of gas in chemical reactions?

The release of gas in chemical reactions is caused by the breaking and forming of bonds between atoms.

In a chemical reaction, the reactants (the substances that start the reaction) are transformed into products (the substances that are produced by the reaction). This transformation involves the breaking of bonds in the reactants and the formation of new bonds to create the products. When these bonds are broken, energy is either absorbed or released. If the energy is released, it can sometimes take the form of a gas.

For example, consider the reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid). In this reaction, the bonds in the reactants are broken and new bonds are formed to create carbon dioxide gas, water, and a salt. The carbon dioxide gas is released as bubbles, which is why you see fizzing when you mix baking soda and vinegar.

Another example is the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to form water. This reaction releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat and light, but it also produces water vapour, which is a gas.

The release of gas in a chemical reaction is not always visible to the naked eye. Sometimes, the gas is colourless and odourless, so you might not notice it. However, you can often detect the presence of a gas by using a lit splint. If the gas is flammable, it will ignite and produce a flame. If the gas is not flammable, it will extinguish the flame.

In conclusion, the release of gas in a chemical reaction is caused by the breaking and forming of bonds between atoms. This process can release energy in the form of a gas, which can sometimes be detected by using a lit splint.