Chemical equation
A chemical equation is the symbolic representation of a chemical reaction wherein the reactant entities are given on the left-hand side and the product entities on the right-hand side.[1] The coefficients next to the symbols and formulae of entities are the absolute values of the stoichiometric numbers. The first chemical equation was diagrammed by Jean Beguin in 1615.
, usually read as "yields") and each individual substance's chemical formula is separated from others by a plus sign.
As an example, the equation for the reaction of hydrochloric acid with sodium can be denoted:
This equation indicates that sodium and HCl react to form NaCl and H2. It also indicates that two sodium molecules are required for every two hydrochloric acid molecules and the reaction will form two sodium chloride molecules and one diatomic molecule of hydrogen gas molecule for every two hydrochloric acid and two sodium molecules that react. The stoichiometric coefficients (the numbers in front of the chemical formulas) result from the law of conservation of mass and the law of conservation of charge (see "Balancing Chemical Equation" section below for more information).
If the reaction requires energy, it is indicated above the arrow. A capital Greek letter delta (
) is put on the reaction arrow to show that energy in the form of heat is added to the reaction.
is used if the energy is added in the form of light.
The law of conservation of mass
dictates that the quantity of each element does not change in a
chemical reaction. Thus, each side of the chemical equation must
represent the same quantity of any particular element. Likewise, the
charge is conserved in a chemical reaction. Therefore, the same charge
must be present on both sides of the balanced equation.
One balances a chemical equation by changing the scalar number for each chemical formula. Simple chemical equations can be balanced by inspection, that is, by trial and error. Another technique involves solving a system of linear equations.
Balanced equations are written with smallest whole-number coefficients. If there is no coefficient before a chemical formula, the coefficient 1 is understood.
The method of inspection can be outlined as putting a coefficient of 1 in front of the most complex chemical formula and putting the other coefficients before everything else such that both sides of the arrows have the same number of each atom. If any fractional coefficient exist, multiply every coefficient with the smallest number required to make them whole, typically the denominator of the fractional coefficient for a reaction with a single fractional coefficient.
As an example, seen in the above image, the burning of methane would be balanced by putting a coefficient of 1 before the CH4:
Looking at the next atom (hydrogen), the right-hand side has two atoms, while the left-hand side has four. To balance the hydrogens, 2 goes in front of the H2O, which yields:
Form
A chemical equation consists of the chemical formulas of the reactants (the starting substances) and the chemical formula of the products (substances formed in the chemical reaction). The two are separated by an arrow symbol (
, usually read as "yields") and each individual substance's chemical formula is separated from others by a plus sign.As an example, the equation for the reaction of hydrochloric acid with sodium can be denoted:
- 2 HCl + 2 Na → 2 NaCl + H
2
This equation indicates that sodium and HCl react to form NaCl and H2. It also indicates that two sodium molecules are required for every two hydrochloric acid molecules and the reaction will form two sodium chloride molecules and one diatomic molecule of hydrogen gas molecule for every two hydrochloric acid and two sodium molecules that react. The stoichiometric coefficients (the numbers in front of the chemical formulas) result from the law of conservation of mass and the law of conservation of charge (see "Balancing Chemical Equation" section below for more information).
Common symbols
Symbols are used to differentiate between different types of reactions. To denote the type of reaction:[1]- "
" symbol is used to denote a stoichiometric relation. - "
" symbol is used to denote a net forward reaction. - "
" symbol is used to denote a reaction in both directions. - "
" symbol is used to denote an equilibrium.
If the reaction requires energy, it is indicated above the arrow. A capital Greek letter delta (
) is put on the reaction arrow to show that energy in the form of heat is added to the reaction.
is used if the energy is added in the form of light.Balancing chemical equations
One balances a chemical equation by changing the scalar number for each chemical formula. Simple chemical equations can be balanced by inspection, that is, by trial and error. Another technique involves solving a system of linear equations.
Balanced equations are written with smallest whole-number coefficients. If there is no coefficient before a chemical formula, the coefficient 1 is understood.
The method of inspection can be outlined as putting a coefficient of 1 in front of the most complex chemical formula and putting the other coefficients before everything else such that both sides of the arrows have the same number of each atom. If any fractional coefficient exist, multiply every coefficient with the smallest number required to make them whole, typically the denominator of the fractional coefficient for a reaction with a single fractional coefficient.
As an example, seen in the above image, the burning of methane would be balanced by putting a coefficient of 1 before the CH4:
- 1 CH4 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
Looking at the next atom (hydrogen), the right-hand side has two atoms, while the left-hand side has four. To balance the hydrogens, 2 goes in front of the H2O, which yields:
- 1 CH4 + O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O
- CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O
Ionic equations
An ionic equation is a chemical equation in which electrolytes are written as dissociated ions. Ionic equations are used for single and double displacement reactions that occur in aqueous solutions. For example in the following precipitation reaction:- CaCl2(aq) + 2 AgNO3(aq) → Ca(NO3)2(aq) + 2 AgCl(s)
- Ca2+(aq) + 2 Cl−(aq) + 2 Ag+(aq) + 2 NO3−(aq) → Ca2+(aq) + 2 NO3−(aq) + 2 AgCl(s)
- 2 Cl−(aq) + 2 Ag+(aq) → 2 AgCl(s)
- Ag+(aq) + Cl−(aq) → AgCl(s)
- H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l)
- 3 Ba(OH)2(aq) + 2 H3PO4(aq) → 6 H2O(l) + Ba3(PO4)2(s)
- 3 Ba2+(aq) + 6 OH-(aq) + 6 H+(aq) + 2 PO43-(aq) → 6 H2O(l) + Ba3(PO4)2(s)
- 2 H+(aq) + CO32−(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g)
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