Chemical Equations

Chemical equations

Represent chemical change Reactants Products (Starting (Substances

Materials) Produced)

Procedure

Identify all reactants and products E.g Magnesium(R) reacts with hydrochloric acid(R)

to give magnesium chloride (P) and hydrogen gas.(P)

Write a “word equation” Magnesium + Hydrochloric Magnesium

C acid chloride + hydrogen

Convert each substance from a name to a formula Mg + HCl MgCl2 + H2 (2 atoms together)

Balance the equation

Use (big)numbers before the formula (this applies to the whole of the formula)

Mg + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2

Using 2HCl gives the same amount of H’s and Cl’s on each side (Mg’s are OK). The equation is now balanced.

Hint: Leave uncombined elements until last

Another example

Hydrogen + Oxygen Water H2 + O2 H2O

H2 + O2 2 H2O

Useful website – found through Google.Try to find more if you can – let us know! http://

funbasedlearning.com/chemistry/ElemQuiz/elemQuiz.htm