Writing A Balanced Chemical Equation

Related Pages
Writing Ionic Equations
Molar Volume, Avogadro’s Law
Chemistry Lessons

Chemical Equation

A chemical equation shows the overall change of reactants to products in a chemical reaction.

Sometimes, state symbols are required to indicate the physical states of the substances in a chemical reaction.

The following table gives the physical states and the state symbols used in chemical equations: solid, liquid, gas, aqueous.

The following table gives the valency of some common ions. This table can be used to help you work out the chemical formula of the reactants and products.

Here are some simple covalent formulas that you will find useful to remember:

• Water H₂O,
• Carbon Dioxide CO₂,
• Ammonia NH₃,
• Hydrogen H₂,
• Oxygen O₂,
• Nitrogen N₂,
• Sulfur Dioxide or Sulphur Dioxide SO₂,
• Methane CH₄

Here are some simple ionic formulas that you will find useful to remember:

• Sodium Chloride NaCl,
• Calcium Chloride CaCl₂,
• Magnesium Oxide MgO,
• Hydrochloric Acid HCl,
• Sulfuric Acid or Sulphuric Acid H₂SO₄,
• Nitric Acid HNO₃,
• Sodium Hydroxide NaOH,
• Potassium Hydroxide KOH,
• Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH)₂,
• Calcium Carbonate CaCO₃,
• Aluminum Oxide Al₂O₃,
• Iron Oxide Fe₂O₃

The following diagram shows how to write a chemical equation. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions.

Conversion Of Word Equation To Chemical Equation

Example:
In a precipitation reaction, sodium hydroxide solution is mixed with iron(II) chloride solution. Sodium Chloride solution and insoluble iron(II) hydroxide are produced. Write a balanced chemical equation including the state symbols.

Solution:
Step 1: Identify reactants and products and place them in a word equation.

sodium hydroxide + iron(II) chloride → sodium chloride + iron(II) hydroxide

Step 2: Convert the chemical names into chemical formulas. Place them based on the chemical equation and write the state symbols.

Step 3: Balance the chemical equation.

2NaOH(aq) + FeCl₂(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + Fe(OH)₂(s)

Example:
Write a balanced chemical equation for
Sodium(s) + hydrochloric acid(aq) → sodium chloride(aq) + hydrogen(g)

Solution:
Step 1: Convert the chemical names into chemical formulas. Place them based on the chemical equation and write the state symbols.

Step 2: Balance the chemical equation.

2Na(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H₂(g)

How To Write A Balanced Chemical Equation From A Word Equation?

When compounds react, they are chemically changed into new compounds. Every chemical change can be communicated symbolically using a chemical equation. Chemical equations combine formulas with other symbols to show what changes takes place.

Examples:
Aluminum + Iron(III) oxide → Aluminum oxide + Iron
Oxygen + Hydrogen → Water
Methane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
Butane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water

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How To Interpret Chemical Symbols And Write Simple Balanced Equations?

Each element is represented by a different symbol.
All these symbols are in the periodic table.
We can use these symbols to show molecules of compounds, and they can show us the ratio of the different elements which combine to form compounds.

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Practice Writing Chemical Equations From Word Problems And Balancing Equations

Examples:

1. Ammonium nitrate decomposes explosively to form nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor.
2. Dinitrogen tetrahydride reacts with oxygen to produce nitrogen and water.
3. Lead(II) nitrate reacts with sodium iodide to create lead (II) iodide and sodium nitrate.
4. Phosphorous reacts with oxygen gas to produce diphosphorous pentoxide.
5. When calcium comes in contact with water, calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas is produced.
6. When hexane (C₆H₂₄) reacts with oxygen a combustion reaction occurs. This reaction produces carbon dioxide and water.
7. Sodium hydroxide reacts with iron (III) nitrate to create a precipitate of iron (III) hydroxide in a solution of sodium nitrate.
8. Mercury (II) oxide decomposes to produce mercury and oxygen.
9. Zinc hydroxide reacts with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) to produce zinc phosphate and water.
10. Sulfur dioxide and oxygen combine to produce sulfur trioxide.

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Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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