CHEMISTRY 10 Writing and Balancing Equations

A chemical equation is a shorthand expression for a chemical change or reaction. word - equation:states in words mercury (II) oxide + heat mercury + oxygen bulky and cumbersome 2 HgO 2Hg + O 2

Writing and Balancing Equations General Format for Writing Equations 1.The reactants are separated from the products by an arrow that indicates the direction of the reaction. 2.The reactants are placed to the left and the products to the right of the arrow. A plus sign (+) is placed between reactants and between products when needed.

Writing and Balancing Equations 3. Conditions required to carry out the reaction may be placed above or below the arrow. A delta indicates heat is applied. 4. Coefficients 2 H 2 O are placed in front to balance the equation. One is never placed there, it is just understood.

Writing and Balancing Equations 5. The physical state of a substance is indicated by the following symbols: (s) solid(l) liquid (g) gaseous(aq) aqueous: means water solution yields reversible reaction H 2 gas evolved solid precipitate

Writing and Balancing Equations Balancing Equations 1. First you must have the equation in symbol format, you cannot balance a word equation. 2.Balancing: a. Count and compare the number of atoms of each element on each side of the equation and determine those that must be balanced.

Writing and Balancing Equations Balancing Equations b. Balance each element one at a time, by placing whole numbers (coefficients) in front of the formulas containing the unbalanced element. It is usually better to balance in this order: metals, nonmetals, hydrogen, oxygen.

Writing and Balancing Equations A coefficient placed before a formula multiplies every atom in the formula by that number! 2H 2 SO 4 =4H’s2S’s8O’s c. re-check each time you balance an element to see if anything else has become unbalanced. Make adjustments as needed.

Writing and Balancing Equations d. Do a final check making sure that each element is balanced and that the smallest possible set of whole number coefficients has been used: 4HgO4Hg + 2O 2 incorrect 2HgO2Hg + O 2 correct

Writing and Balancing Equations Equations for practice: Magnesium + oxygenMagnesium Oxide Potassium ChloratePotassium Choride + Oxygen Aluminum hydroxide + sulfuric acid Aluminum sulfate + water C 4 H 10 + O 2 CO 2 + H 2 O

Writing and Balancing Equations Types of Chemical Reactions 1. Combination or Synthesis Reaction: Two reactants combine to give one product. A + BAB 2Mg + O 2 2MgO

Writing and Balancing Equations Types of Chemical Reactions 2.Decomposition: A single substance is decomposed or broken down to give two or more different substances: ABA + B 2PbO 2 2PbO + O 2 2 Na HCO 3 Na 2 CO 3 + H 2 O + CO 2

Writing and Balancing Equations Types of Chemical Reactions 3.Single - Displacement Reaction: One element reacts with a compound to take the place of one of the elements of that compound. A + BCB + AC Zn + 2HClH 2 + ZnCl 2 Note: Activity series table helps to predict which substances (elements) will be able to replace various other substances.

Writing and Balancing Equations Types of Chemical Reactions 4.Double - Displacement or Metathesis: Two compounds exchange partners with each other to produce two different compounds. AB + CDAD + CB NaCl + KNO 3 NaNo 3 + KCl

Writing and Balancing Equations Heat in Chemical Reactions Energy changes always accompany chemical reactions. One reason why reactions occur is that the products attain a lower, more stable energy state than the reactants.

Writing and Balancing Equations Heat in Chemical Reactions Reactions are either exothermic or endothermic. Exothermic reactions liberate heat: H 2 + Cl 2 2HCl + 185kJ ( exothermic) Endothermic reactions absorb heat: N 2 + O kJ2NO (endothermic)