Word & Balanced Equations Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What are the steps to write a word equation for a described reaction?

e.g. calcium hydroxide reacting with hydrochloric acid

1. Names of reactants on the left, joined by +: calcium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid
2. Arrow →
3. Names of products on the right: → calcium chloride + water

What are the steps to write a balanced symbol equation from a word equation?

e.g. magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen

1. Write the correct formulae: $Mg + HCl \rightarrow MgCl_2 + H_2$
2. Count each type of atom on both sides
3. Add numbers in front of formulae until they match: $Mg + 2HCl \rightarrow MgCl_2 + H_2$

What do the state symbols (s), (l), (g) and (aq) mean?

solid, liquid, gas, aqueous (dissolved in water)

True or false? An equation can be balanced by changing the small subscript numbers inside a formula.

False. Only the large numbers in front of formulae may be changed; changing subscripts changes the substance.