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Writing Chemical Equations. Chemical equations. are a specific description of what happens in a reaction. Ex. 2H 2 O 2H 2 + O 2. 2 parts - Chem. equations. 1. Reactants (left of arrow). - substances that undergo a reaction. 2. Products (right of arrow).
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Writing Chemical Equations
Chemical equations are a specific description of what happens in a reaction Ex. 2H2O 2H2 + O2
2 parts - Chem. equations 1. Reactants (left of arrow) - substances that undergo a reaction 2. Products(right of arrow) - new substances produced
Balancing Chem. Equations • law of conservation of mass must be followed • Mass/matter (atoms) cannot be created or destroyed in a reaction
C -1 C -1 Li - 1 Li - 2 O - 3 O - 4 H - 1 H - 2 Use coefficients - balance # of atoms on each side of arrow Example CO2+ LiOH Li2CO3+ H2O
When trying to balance both sides of the equation Do not change the subscripts
CO2+ LiOH Li2CO3+ H2O 2 Carbon - 1 Carbon - 1 Oxygen - 4 Oxygen - 4 Lithium - 2 Lithium - 2 Hydrogen - 2 Hydrogen - 2 2 is the coefficent