Write the chemical formula of the following compounds:

Name of compound Number of atoms of each Chemical formula Name of molecule Number of atoms of each Molecular formula
element element
Magnesium chloride 1 magnesium atom Hydrogen 2 hydrogen atoms
2 chlorine atoms

Oxygen 2 oxygen atoms

Sodium hydroxide 1 sodium atom
1 oxygen atom
1 hydrogen atom Water
Sulfuric acid 2 hydrogen atoms
1 sulfur atom
4 oxygen atoms
Calcium carbonate 1 calcium atom
Bromine Br2
1 carbon atom
3 oxygen atoms
Sodium nitrate
NaNO3
Carbon dioxide CO2

Ammonium chloride NH4Cl

Sulfur dioxide SO2

Copper (II) sulfate CuSO4 Ammonia NH3

How to calculate the number of atoms in a compound/molecule:

1. A number accompanying each element in the chemical formula
Eg. C2 H4 , CO2

2. A number in front of the chemical formula

Eg. 2Na, 3CO2

3. A subscript outside a bracket accompanying a chemical formula

Eg. Ca(OH)2, Al2(CO3)3
Exercise: Word Equations
To represent chemical reactions in words, we use a word equation
Find the number of atoms for each element in the following
Eg. 1. The burning of magnesium ribbon in oxygen to make magnesium oxide.
compound
(i) Al(OH)3 Word equation:

(ii) Fe2(SO4)3
The reactant is : _________________________________________

The products are : ________________________________________

Eg. 2 Calcium carbonate decomposes when heated into calcium oxide,

producing carbon dioxide in the process.
(iii) (NH4)2SO4
Word equation:

(iv) 2NaOH The reactants are : _______________________________________

The product is : __________________________________________

Eg. 3 Plants take in carbon dioxide and water and produces glucose and
oxygen.
Word equation:
(v) 3Fe(OH)3

The reactants are: _______________________________________

The products are: ________________________________________

(vi) 2Na2(CO3)
Chemical Equations:
 An equation using the chemical formulas (empirical or molecular
formula) of substances is called a chemical equation.
 A Chemical equation can be derived from the word equation by
writing the chemical formula of each reactant or product.
Balancing chemical equations:
 A chemical reaction must account for every atom that is used. This is
an application of the Law of Conservation of Matter.
“In a chemical reaction, atoms are neither created or destroyed”

Eg. 1. sodium carbonate when added to sulfuric acid produces sodium Hence we need to make sure that all atoms are accounted for in a chemical
sulfate, carbon dioxide and water. reaction.

Word equation:
Important:
Every chemical compound has a formula, which cannot be altered.

Exercise:
Chemical equation:
Write a balanced chemical equation to represent each reaction and include
state symbols.
1. Carbon (C) burns in oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2)

State symbols are used in chemical equations to show the physical

state of substances.
The physical states are:
1. solid –

2. liquid –

3. gas –
2. Hydrogen peroxide solution (H2O2) decomposes to form oxygen gas
4. Aqueous substances that are dissolved in water
(O2) and water (H2O)

Some symbols:
1. To represent a “forward reaction” (irreversible) :
2. To represent a “forward and backward reaction” (reversible) :
3. To represent “heat” added in a reaction:
3. A solution of potassium iodide (KI) is oxidized by chlorine gas (Cl2) to 6. Methane gas (CH4) burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide gas
to form a suspension of iodine (I2) and potassium chloride solution (CO2) and water vapour (H2O)
(KCl)

7. Sodium metal (Na) reacts vigorously in water (H2O) to produce an

alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen gas (H2)

4. Iron metal (Fe) combines with chlorine gas (Cl2) to form solid iron(III)
chloride (FeCl3)

8. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) neutralizes sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH)

to form a soluble salt, sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and water (H2O)

5. Zinc metal (Zn) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form zinc
chloride solution (ZnCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2). 9. Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) reacts with Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
to produce Magnesium chloride solution (MgCl2), water (H2O) and
carbon dioxide gas (CO2)