CHEMICAL EQUATIONS & REACTIONS

Chemical equations

 A chemical equation is a shorthand representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulae.
 The chemicals that are reacting (reactants) are shown on the left hand side of the equation. The chemicals that
are formed (products) are shown on the right hand side of the equation.
 Reactants Products
 A plus sign (+) is used to separate each reactant and each product.
 A chemical equation must be balanced
 This means that the total number and types of atoms on the right side of the equation must be equal to those
on the left side of the equation. This is because atoms cannot be created or destroyed
State symbols in chemical equations

 The state symbols tell us the physical states of the reactants and products in a chemical reaction
 (s)  solid state
 (l)  liquid state
 (g)  gaseous state
 (aq)  aqueous state (solution in water)

HCl(aq) + CaCO3(s)  CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

 Any conditions which are required for the reaction to occur can be written above the arrow e.g. a specific
temperature, a specific pressure or a specific catalyst.
Balancing chemical equations

calcium + oxygen  calcium oxide

Step 1: Write down the chemical formula for each

reactant and product:
Ca + O2  CaO
Step 2: Count the number of atoms on each side of
the equation:

Left side: 1 Ca atom + 2 O atoms

Right side: 1 Ca atom + 1 O atom
 Balancing chemical equations

 The equation is not balanced because the right side has 1 less oxygen
 Step 3: To balance the equation, add 2 in front of CaO,
and again count the number of atoms on both
sides of the equation:

Ca + O2  2 CaO
Left side: 1 Ca atom + 2 O atoms
Right side: 2 Ca atoms + 2 O atoms

The equation is still not balanced because the left side has
1 less calcium atom.
 Balancing chemical equations

 Step 4: To balance the equation, add 2 in front of Ca,

and again count the number of atoms on both
sides of the equation:
2 Ca + O2  2 CaO

Left side: 2 Ca atom + 2 O atoms

Right side: 2 Ca atoms + 2 O atoms

 The equation is now correctly balanced

2 Ca + O2  2 CaO
Balancing chemical equations

 Write state symbols for each reactant and each product

2 Ca(s) + O2(g)  2 CaO(s)

 Special points

 For an element in its free state, if it is one of the seven common elements that exist as diatomic molecules, use its formula (H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2). For any other element in its free
state, use its atomic symbol e.g. Cu for copper

 Balance the elements in the product immediately after the arrow first.

 Balance any polyatomic ion which remain unchanged from one side to the other as a unit e.g. if SO42- appears on both sides, consider it as a single unit.

 Balance hydrogen second to last. Balance oxygen last.

 Leave elements in their free state until the very last to balance e.g. Mg, Cu, H2, N2

 Check that the coefficients are in the lowest possible ratio