What is a chemical reaction and how does it occur?

A chemical reaction is a process in which substances, called reactants, are converted into different substances, called products. This change occurs due to the breaking and forming of chemical bonds between atoms. Chemical reactions can be represented using chemical equations, where the reactants are written on the left side of the arrow and the products on the right side. The occurrence of a chemical reaction requires the presence of reactants with sufficient energy to initiate the bond-breaking and bond-forming processes. These reactions are essential in various natural and industrial processes, including the production of essential materials and energy.