Chemical Equations Notes

CHEMICAL EQUATIONS

A Chemical Equation is a shorthand representation of a chemical reaction.

The Reactant(s) are always written on the left of the arrow.

The Product(s) are always written on the right of the arrow.

The arrow in the middle can be a single arrow pointing left to right such as
Or it can be a reversible arrow pointing both ways such as .

Information about reaction conditions, usually written above or below the arrow
A chemical equation is represented below:
conditions
Reactant(s) (e.g. temp, pressure etc) Product(s)

or

conditions
Reactant(s) (e.g. temp, pressure etc) Product(s) [for reversible reactions]

Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations

1. Write the equation in words:

Example 1
Zinc hydroxide + hydrochloric acid → Zinc Chloride + water

2. Write the correct formula of each reactant(s) and product(s).

Example 1
Zn(OH)2 + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2O

 NB – Formulae of reactants or products MUST NEVER be interfered with once they

are written.

3. Show the physical state of the reactant(s) and product(s) by placing subscript
symbols after each formula:
solid (s)
liquid (l)
gas (g)
aqueous solutions (aq)

Example 1
Zn(OH)2(s) + HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2O(l)
 Chemical Equations Notes

4. Balance the equation so that ; the same number of atoms or ions/formula units
of each element are on either side of the arrow.
5. * NB - This balancing can ONLY be achieved by placing Whole numbers in
front of the formulae of either the reactant(s) and/or Product(s) so as to change the
proportion(numbers) of the reactant(s) or product(s).

Example 1
Zn(OH)2(s) + HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

L.H.S. = R.H.S.

Reactants Products

Zn = 1 Zn = 1
O=2 O=1
H=2+1=3 H=2
Cl = 1 Cl = 2

O, H and Cl are not balanced. Balance is achieved by placing a 2 in front of HCl and
2 in front of H2O:

Zn(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

L.H.S. = R.H.S.
Reactants Products
Zn = 1 Zn = 1
O=2 O=1
H= H=1
Cl = 1 Cl = 1

IONIC EQUATIONS

Rules for Writing Ionic Equations

1. Complete and balance the equation in the form in which it is given.

 NB – If an equation is given in the molecular form, complete it in the molecular

form, balance it and then change it to the ionic form.
Compounds in molecular form must not be written as individual ions/formula units
Compounds which are written in molecular form in ionic equations are:

 Non – electrolyte such as Glucose,

 Weak electrolytes such as [Ethanoic acid CH3COOH,

Ammonia solution NH3(aq), , water H2O(l)]

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 Solids such as [Carbon, Silicon, Sulphur, Phosphorus] and

 Precipitates (formed by mixing aqueous solutions of ionic compounds) such as

[AgCl(s), CaCO3(s), BaSO4(s) PbI2(s) Ca(OH)2]

 Gases such as [H2, O2, N2, CO2]

 Metals such as [Li, Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, K, Na]

2. Write all strong electrolytes in the ionic form

Example 1. Sodium chloride NaCl(s); Na+(s) + Cl–(s) when solid.

Example 2. Sodium chloride NaCl(aq); Na+(aq) + Cl–(aq) when in water.

3. Ensure that there are the same number of each ion (monatomic or polyatomic) and
of each atom, on both sides of the equation.

 Those ions/formula units that appear on both sides of the equation are called
‘Spectator Ions’ since they take no part in the reaction.

 These spectator ions should be cancelled or eliminated from the net ionic equation.
The spectator ions/formula units are cancelled/eliminated by drawing lines through
them to indicate their elimination.

 The ‘Participant ions’ are the only ions that actually take part in forming the
product(s) are to be the only species written as is, in the net ionic equation.

 The net ionic equation should show only ‘Participant ions’ those ions/formula units
that have undergone a chemical change .

Writing Ionic Equations

Reaction between Barium Nitrate + Sodium Sulphate

1. Write the full balanced equation

Example 1.

Ba(NO3)2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)

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2. Rewrite the equation showing the ions and their states.

Example 1.

Ba2+(aq) + 2NO3– (aq) + 2Na+(aq) + SO42 – (aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2Na+(aq) + 2NO3–(aq)

3. Delete/eliminate/omit (spectator ions)any ions which remain unchanged on both

sides of the arrow.

Example 1.

Ba2+(aq) + 2NO3– (aq) + 2Na+(aq) + SO42 – (aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2Na+(aq) + 2NO3– (aq)
4. Rewrite the ionic equation showing only (participant ions) ions/molecules which
changed.

Example 1.

net ionic : Ba2+(aq) + SO42 – (aq) → BaSO4(s)

Reaction between Sodium Carbonate + Hydrochloric acid.

1. Write the full balanced equation

Example 2.

Na2CO3 (aq) + 2HCl (aq) → 2NaCl–(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

2. Rewrite the equation showing the ions and their states.

Example 2.

2Na+(aq) + CO32– (aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl – (aq) → 2Na+(aq) + 2Cl–(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

3. Delete/eliminate/omit (spectator ions).any ions which remain unchanged on both

sides of the arrow.

Example 2.

2Na+(aq) + CO32– (aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl – (aq) → 2Na+(aq) + 2Cl–(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
4. Rewrite the ionic equation showing only (participant ions) ions/molecules which
changed.

Example 2.

net ionic : CO32– (aq) + 2H+(aq) → CO2(g) + H2O(l)

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Reaction between Sodium Carbonate + Hydrochloric acid.

5. Write the full balanced equation

Example 3.

Na2CO3 (aq) + 2HCl (aq) → 2NaCl–(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

6. Rewrite the equation showing the ions and their states.

Example 3.

Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2NO3 – (aq) → Zn2+(aq) + 2NO3– (aq) + H2(g)

7. Delete/eliminate/omit (spectator ions).any ions which remain unchanged on both

sides of the arrow.

Example 3.

Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2NO3 – (aq) → Zn2+(aq) + 2NO3– (aq) + H2(g

8. Rewrite the ionic equation showing only (participant ions) ions/molecules which
changed.

Example 3.

net ionic : Zn (s) + 2H+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + H2(g)