CHEMISTRY 10
Writing and Balancing Equations
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 + O2
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 H2O 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
H2 gas evolved solid precipitate
Writing and Balancing Equations
Balancing Equations1. 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 Equationsb. 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!
2H2SO4 = 4H’s 2S’s 8O’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:
4HgO 4Hg + 2O2
incorrect
2HgO 2Hg + O2 correct
Writing and Balancing Equations
Equations for practice:Magnesium + oxygen Magnesium Oxide
Potassium Chlorate Potassium Choride + Oxygen
Aluminum hydroxide + sulfuric acid
Aluminum sulfate + water
C4H10 + O2 CO2 + H2O
Writing and Balancing Equations
Types of Chemical Reactions
1. Combination or Synthesis Reaction:
Two reactants combine to give one product.
A + B AB
2Mg + O2 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:
AB A + B
2PbO2 2PbO + O2
2 Na HCO3 Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
Writing and Balancing Equations
Types of Chemical Reactions3. Single - Displacement Reaction:
One element reacts with a compound to take the place of one of the elements of that compound.
A + BC B + AC
Zn + 2HCl H2 + ZnCl2Note: Activity series table helps to predict which substances (elements) will be able to replace various other substances.
Writing and Balancing Equations
Types of Chemical Reactions4. Double - Displacement or Metathesis:
Two compounds exchange partners with each other to produce two different
compounds.
AB + CD AD + CB
NaCl + KNO3 NaNo3 + 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:
H2 + Cl2 2HCl + 185kJ (exothermic)
Endothermic reactions absorb heat:
N2 + O2 + 181kJ 2NO (endothermic)