Writing and Balancing

Chemical Equations

General Chemistry I
Chemical Reaction
A process in which a substance (or
substances) is changed into one or
more new substances.
 The "chemicals" in a chemical reaction
are elements or compounds. They
"react" when combined or broken down.
Chemical Reaction
 Atoms in a Chemical Reaction:
 Some atomic bonds are broken,
and some new ones are made.
 They are neither created nor
destroyed. (Law of Conservation
of Mass)
 What is a Chemical Reaction?
It is a chemical change in which one or more
substances are destroyed/ broken down and
one or more new substances are created.

BEFORE AFTER

H2 gas H2O liquid

and

O2 gas
Chemical Equation
 Chemical Equation is the shorthand for
describing the course of a chemical
reaction wherein the reactants are
always written before the reaction of
the equation while the product is
written after an arrow in the equation.
 Parts of a Chemical Reaction
Reactants  Products

Reactants: Substances that are destroyed by the

chemical change (bonds break).
break

Products: Substances created by the chemical

change (new bonds form).
form

The arrow () is read as “yields”.

 Other symbols in chemical
reactions
• (s) = solid
• (l) = liquid
• (g) = gas
• (aq) = aqueous solution (the substance is
dissolved in H2O)
• “+” separates two or more reactants or
products
• “” yield sign separates reactants from
products
 Word Equations
• Statements that indicate the reactants and
products in a chemical reaction.

• Ex. Iron (s) + chlorine (g)  iron (III) chloride (s)

• This is read as:

“Solid iron and chlorine gas react (combine) to produce
solid iron (III) chloride”
 Translating Word Equations to
Chemical Equations
• A chemical equation uses chemical formulas
rather than words to identify the reactants and
products of a chemical reaction.

• The word equation

Iron (s) + chlorine (g)  iron (III) chloride (s)

• The chemical equations

Fe(s) + Cl2(g)  FeCl3 (s)
 One more example…
• 6 Na (s) + Fe2O3 (s)  3 Na2O (s) + 2 Fe (s)
– The numbers preceding the chemical formula are
coefficients. They are used to balance the reaction.
– The numbers within the chemical formula are
subscripts.
– You can read the above balanced reaction as:
• “6 atoms of solid sodium plus 1 formula unit of solid
iron (III) oxide yields 3 formula units of solid sodium
oxide and 2 atoms of solid iron” or…
• “6 moles of solid sodium plus 1 mole of solid iron (III)
oxide yields 3 moles of solid sodium oxide plus 2
moles of solid iron”
• Chemical reactions can never be read in terms of
grams, only in terms of particles or groups of particles
(moles).
 Law of Conservation of Mass
You need to remember this law!

 The Law of Conservation of Mass states:

that mass is neither created nor
destroyed in any chemical reaction.
Therefore, balancing of equations requires
the same number of atoms on both sides of a
chemical reaction.
 The number of atoms in the Reactants must
equal the number of atoms in the Products
 Conservation of Mass
H2 (g) + O2 (g)  H2O (l)

What is wrong with this equation above? Doesn’t

it appear that one oxygen atom “went missing”?

According to conservation of mass, the proper way

to write this reaction is:

2H2 (g) + 1O2 (g)  2H2O (l)

The red coefficients represent the # of molecules

(or the # of moles) of each reactant or product.
Law of Conservation of Mass

 The mass of all the reactants (the

substances going into a reaction-
written on the left side) must be equal
the mass of the products (the
substances produced by the reaction-
written on the right side).
Check your understanding:

1. What does a chemical equation

tell you?
2. What does the Law of
Conservation of Mass imply?
3. What happens in a chemical
reaction?
Types of Chemical
Reactions

General Chemistry I
There are 5 basic types….
1. Single Replacement (Displacement)
2. Double Replacement(Displacement)
3. Synthesis (Combination)
4. Decomposition
5. Combustion
 1) SINGLE REPLACEMENT
REACTION
A type of chemical
reaction in which a more
reactive substance
replaces a less reactive
substance. There are two
reactants and two
products.

Ex: Zn + CuSO4  ZnSO4 + Cu

Single Replacement Reactions
Single replacement reactions have the
general form, A + BC  AC + B.

Question: Do all single replacement

reactions actually occur?

Answer: Not necessarily…

 Single Replacement Reactions
Examine the reaction:
Zn + CuSO4  ZnSO4 + Cu
This reaction does occur!’

Now let’s try:

Cu + ZnSO4  No Reaction

Conclusion: Zn will replace Cu in

solution, but not vice versa!
 Single Replacement Reactions
How do we know which reactions will occur
and which ones will not?

We look at the “activity series”.

Elements with higher activities replace

elements with lower activities during a
single-replacement reaction, but not vice-
versa.
 Single Replacement Reactions
• Displacement Reactions: It
predicts which metals can displace
(replace) other metals from their
compounds in single displacement
reactions. A metal higher in the
reactivity series can displace a
metal lower in the series from its
compounds.
Reactivity
or Activity
Series for
Metals
Will a single displacement reaction
occur?
• Let's consider the reaction
between zinc (Zn) and
hydrochloric acid (HCl).
 Predicting the Products of Single Replacement
Reactions
1) Write the reactants. Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq)
2) Identify the cation and Hydrogen ion and
anion of the reactant that is Chloride ion
a compound.
3) Use the activity series to Zinc (Zn) is more
see if the single element will reactive than
replace one of the elements hydrogen (H), so it
in the compound. If no
reaction will occur, just
displaces hydrogen
write “NR” for the products from the
and you are done. hydrochloric acid.
 Predicting the Products of Single Replacement Reactions
4) Identify the reactant that is Zinc ion
the element. Determine its
charge when it becomes an
ion.
5) Perform a criss-cross to
predict the new compound
on the product side of the
reaction.
6) Write both new products. Zn(s) + HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) +
H2(g)
7) Balance the reaction. Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) →
ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Will a single displacement reaction
occur?
• Let's consider the reaction of
Silver (Ag) with Zinc Chloride
(ZnCl2).
 Predicting the Products of Single Replacement
Reactions
1) Write the reactants. Silver (Ag) + Zinc
Chloride (ZnCl2)
2) Identify the cation and (Zn^2+)
anion of the reactant that is
(Cl^-)
a compound.
3) Use the activity series to Consulting the reactivity
see if the single element will series, silver (Ag) is less
reactive than zinc (Zn). This
replace one of the elements
means that silver cannot
in the compound. If no displace zinc from a
reaction will occur, just compound like zinc chloride
write “NR” for the products (ZnCl2).
and you are done.
Reactivity
or Activity
Series for
Metals
 Predicting the Products of Single Replacement Reactions
4) Identify the reactant that is No reaction
the element. Determine its
charge when it becomes an
ion.
5) Perform a criss-cross to
predict the new compound
on the product side of the
reaction.
6) Write both new products.
7) Balance the reaction.
 Another example…
1. Consider a reaction between iron and
lead (II) nitrate.

Fe + Pb(NO3)2  __________________
Reactivity
or Activity
Series for
Metals
 Another example…
1. Consider a reaction between bromine
and calcium iodide.

Br2 + CaI2  __________________

 More examples…
1. Zn + AgNO3  _______________
2. Al + H2SO4 _______________
3. Cu + H2O  ________________
4. Al + CuCl2  _______________
5. Ag + KNO3  ________________
 Try balancing the equations

1.Zn + AgNO3  Ag + Zn(NO3)2

2.Al + H2SO4  H2 + Al2(SO4)3
3.Cu + H2O  NR
4.Al + CuCl2  Cu + AlCl3
5.Ag + KNO3  NR
 Try balancing the equations
1. Zn + 2AgNO3  2Ag + Zn(NO3)2
2. 2Al + 3H2SO4  3H2 + Al2(SO4)3
3. Cu + H2O  NR
4. 2Al + 3CuCl2  3Cu + 2AlCl3
5. Ag + KNO3  NR
 2) DOUBLE REPLACEMENT
REACTION
In double replacement
reactions, the positive ions in
two different compounds
switch places, resulting in
the formation of two new
compounds.

There are two Example:

reactants and two AgNO3 + NaCl 
products.
AgCl + NaNO3
 Double Replacement Reactions
The general form of a double replacement reaction is:
AB + CD  AD + CB

Just like single replacement reactions, not all double

replacement reactions actually occur.

We can experimentally attempt a D.R. reaction. The reaction

occurs if:

1) A solid precipitate is produced, or

2) A gas is produced, or
3) Water is produced.

If none of the above are produced and both products are

(aq), then there is no reaction (NR)!
 Examples of Double Replacement
Reactions:
 Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NaI (aq)  PbI2 (s) + 2NaNO3 (aq)
(precipitate forming)
The lead ions (Pb²⁺) from lead(II) nitrate react with the
iodide ions (I⁻) from sodium iodide to form solid lead
iodide (PbI2). This is a precipitation reaction, and the
formation of a solid (PbI2) is indicated by "(s)" in the
equation.
 AgNO3 (aq) + NaCl (aq) → AgCl (s) + NaNO3 (aq)
In this reaction, silver ions (Ag⁺) from silver nitrate and
chloride ions (Cl⁻) from sodium chloride switch
places to form insoluble silver chloride, which
precipitates out of the solution.
How do you determine if one of the products
of a double replacement reaction will be a
precipitate?
• Use the solubility rules….

Soluble compounds
These compounds break down when put in water.

Example: In water, NaCl  Na1+ and Cl1-.

We say that NaCl…

 has dissolved.
 is soluble.
 forms an aqueous solution (aq).
 The Solubility Rules
Insoluble compounds
These compounds do NOT
break down when put in
water.

Example: In water, CaCO3

does NOT break down into
Ca2+ and CO32- ions.

The CaCO3 stays as a solid,

(s) or (ppt). Seashells are made of CaCO3!

This is fortunate for many sea-

creatures!
 The Solubility Rules
You do not have to memorize
these rules, but you do have
to know how to use them to
determine if a product is a
precipitate.
Solubility Rules Chart
 3) SYNTHESIS REACTION
Two or more simple substances (the
reactants) combine to form a more
complex substance (the product).
A + B → AB
Ex: 2Mg + O2  2MgO
 SYNTHESIS REACTION
Types of synthesis:
a)Element A + Element B Compound
Na(s) + Cl2 (g)  2NaCl(s)
a)Element + Compound A  Compound B
O2(g) + 2SO2(g)  2SO3(g)
a)Compound A + Compound B  Compound C
CaO(s) + H2O(l)  Ca(OH)2 (s)
 Synthesis Reactions (cont’d)
• Metallic and nonmetallic elements react to form ionic
compounds. The resultant compound should be charge-
balanced by the criss-cross method.
Ex. 4Li + O2  2Li2O
• Nonmetals react with each other to form covalent
(molecular) compounds. You should be able to draw a
valid Lewis Structure for the product.
2H2 + O2  2H2O
or
H2 + O2  H2O2

But NOT

H2 + O2  2OH
4) DECOMPOSITION REACTION
A more complex substance (the
reactant) breaks down into two
or more simple parts (products).
Synthesis and decomposition
reactions are opposites.

Ex: 2H2O  2H2 + O2 Electrolysis of

Water
 DECOMPOSITION REACTIONS
(Cont’d)
 Decomposition of a compound produces two or
more elements and/or compounds
The products are always simpler than the
reactant.
 Gases are often produced (H2, N2, O2, CO2, etc.)
in the decomposition of covalent compounds.
 Ionic compounds may be decomposed into
pure elements by using electricity
(electrolysis). This is how pure metals are
obtained from salts.
The Decomposition of Water by
Electrolysis

An electrical current
can be used to
chemically separate
water into oxygen gas
and hydrogen gas.
Notice that twice as
much hydrogen is
produced compared to
oxygen!

2H2O  2H2 + O2
Electrolysis of Molten Sodium
Chloride
Many pure metals are
obtained by using
electrolysis to separate
metallic salts (ex. NaCl
is used to obtain pure
Na).
 5) COMBUSTION REACTIONS
a) All involve oxygen (O2) as a reactant, combining
with another substance
b) All combustion reactions are exothermic.
c) Complete combustion of a hydrocarbon always
produces CO2 and H2O
d) Incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon will
produce CO and possibly C (black carbon soot) as
well.
Ex: CH4 + 2O2 => CO2 + 2H2O (complete combustion – blue flame)
Ex: CH4 + O2 => CO + H2O (incomplete combustion – yellow flame)
Ex: CH4 + O2 => C + 2H2O (incomplete combustion – yellow flame, soot)
 Combustion (cont’d)
• Any synthesis reaction which involves O2
as a reactant is also considered to be a
combustion reaction!

Ex. 2Mg + O2  2MgO

(metal oxide)
This is called the combustion of magnesium or
the synthesis of magnesium oxide. The
combustion of a metal always produces a metal
oxide (in this case, magnesium oxide). Make
sure the metal product is criss-crossed
correctly!
 Lecture Notebook:
TRY TO CLASSIFY THESE:
1) C4H8 + O2  CO2 + H2O

2) HCl + NaOH  H2O + NaCl

3) KNO3(s)  KNO2(s) + O2(g)

 TRY TO CLASSIFY THESE:
4) Ag + S  Ag2S

5) MgCO3(s)  MgO(s) + CO2(g)

6) Cl2 + KBr  KCl + Br2

 Activity Notebook:
TRY TO CLASSIFY THESE:
1) C4H8 + 6O2  4CO2 + 4H2O

2) HCl + NaOH  H2O + NaCl

3) 2KNO3(s)  2KNO2(s) + O2(g)

 TRY TO CLASSIFY THESE:
4) 2Ag + S  Ag2S

5) MgCO3(s)  MgO(s) + CO2(g)

6) Cl2 + 2KBr  2KCl + Br2

 Check Your Answers…
1) Combustion (of a hydrocarbon)
2) Double replacement
3) Decomposition
4) Synthesis
5) Decomposition
6) Single Replacement
 Counting Atoms
SnO2 + 2H2 → Sn + 2H2O

SUBSCRIPT COEFFICIENT
 Rules for Counting Atoms
1) Coefficients propagate to the right through the entire
compound, whether or not parentheses are present.

2) Subscripts affect only the element to the left of the

subscript, unless…

3) If a subscript occurs to the right of a parentheses, the

subscript propagates to the left through the parentheses.

4) When a coefficient and subscript “meet”, you must

multiply the two.
 Examples of Counting Atoms
SnO2 + 2H2 → Sn + 2H2O

2 C4H10 + 13 O2 → 8 CO2 + 10 H2O

Cu + 2AgNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag

3Pb(NO3)2 + 2AlCl3 → 3PbCl2 + 2Al(NO3)3

 In you lecture notebook…
Complete “The Count” worksheet
on counting atoms in chemical
reactions.
 Warm-Up
2Ca3(PO4)2 + 6 SiO2 + 10C 
6 CaSiO3 + P4 +10CO
Atom # Atoms on # Atoms on
Left Side Right Side
Ca
P
O
Si
C
 Rules for Balancing
Chemical Reactions

__H2 + __ O2  __H2O

Balancing is about finding the

right coefficients!
 Rules for Balancing
Chemical Reactions
1) You can change the coefficients, but
NEVER the subscripts!

__H2 + __ O2  __H2O

Off Limits!
 Rules for Balancing
Chemical Reactions
2) The coefficients must reduce to represent
the lowest possible numbers.

4H2 + 2 O2  4H2O
 Rules for Balancing
Chemical Reactions
3) Often, it is helpful to save the following
elements until the end (do other
elements first):

H, C, O
 Rules for Balancing
Chemical Reactions
4) Do a final balance check for each
element!

2H2 + O2  2H2O
Example

 NH3 + O2 NO + H2O
Reactants Products

 N appears once on both sides in equal

numbers, so the coefficient for NH3 is the
same as for NO.
Example: NH3 + O2 NO + H2O

 Next look at H which appears only once on

each side but has different numbers of
atoms, 3 on the left and 2 on the right. The
least common multiple of 3 and 2 is 6, so
rewrite the equation to get 6 atoms of H on
both sides:
 2NH3 + O2 NO + 3H2O
 Example: 2NH3 + O2 NO + 3H2O

 There are 2 oxygen atoms on the left and 5 on

the right — the least common multiple of 2 and 5
is 10, so rewrite the equation as:

 2NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O

Now count the atoms on each side:

 2NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O

 Write them out keeping them on the
appropriate side of the chemical equation
 2 N (nitrogen atoms) 4 N (nitrogen atoms)
 6 H (hydrogen atoms) 12 H (hydrogen
atoms)
 10 O (oxygen atoms) 10 O (oxygen atoms)
 This shows the equation not to be balanced
“YET”
Check the number again:

 If you double the N and H on the left the

equation will be balanced:

 4NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O

Double-check:

 4NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O

 4 N (nitrogen atoms) 4 N (nitrogen atoms)

 12 H (hydrogen atoms) 12 H (hydrogen atoms)
 10 O (oxygen atoms) 10 O (oxygen atoms)

 The equation is Balanced