Writing Chemical Equations Flashcards
(23 cards)
- Q: What is a word equation?
A: A way of showing a chemical reaction using the names of the substances.
Example: Hydrogen + Oxygen → Water
- Q: What is a symbol equation?
A: A chemical equation that uses symbols and formulas instead of words.
Example: H₂ + O₂ → H₂O
- Q: Why do we balance chemical equations?
A: To follow the Law of Conservation of Mass — the number of atoms must be equal on both sides.
- Q: What is the first step in writing a chemical equation?
A: Identify the reactants and products.
- Q: What is the second step in writing a chemical equation?
A: Write the correct chemical formulas for all reactants and products.
- Q: What is the third step in writing a chemical equation?
A: Balance the number of atoms on both sides.
- Q: Balance: H₂ + O₂ → H₂O
A: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
- Q: Balance: Mg + O₂ → MgO
A: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
- Q: Balance: Fe + O₂ → Fe₂O₃
A: 4Fe + 3O₂ → 2Fe₂O₃
- Q: Balance: N₂ + H₂ → NH₃
A: N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃
- Q: What is a skeletal equation?
A: An unbalanced chemical equation showing correct formulas but not correct amounts.
- Q: What is a balanced equation?
A: An equation where the number of each type of atom is equal on both sides.
- Q: Write the word equation for the reaction between sodium and chlorine.
A: Sodium + Chlorine → Sodium chloride
- Q: Write the symbol equation for the same reaction.
A: 2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl
- Q: Write the word equation for combustion of methane.
A: Methane + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water
- Q: Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction.
A: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O
- Q: What is the word equation for iron reacting with sulfur?
A: Iron + Sulfur → Iron sulfide
- Q: Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction.
A: Fe + S → FeS
Word Equation
An equation using names of substances (e.g. iron + sulfur → iron sulfide).
Symbol Equation
An equation using chemical symbols/formulas.
Balanced Equation: Shows equal numbers of each atom on both sides.
Shows equal numbers of each atom on both sides.
Skeletal Equation
An unbalanced symbol equation.
Conservation of Mass
No atoms are lost or gained in a chemical reaction.
