* Chemical equations use the chemical symbols of each reactant and product
* When balancing equations, there has to be the **same number of atoms** of each element on either side of the equation in accordance with the Law of Conservation of Mass
* A symbol equation uses the formulae of the reactants and products to show what happens in a chemical reaction
* A symbol equation must be balanced to give the correct ratio of reactants and products:
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**S + O2 → SO2**
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* This equation shows that one atom of sulfur (S) reacts with one molecule of oxygen (O2) to make one molecule of sulfur dioxide (SO2)
* The following non-metals must be written as molecules: H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2 and I2
* To balance an equation you work across the equation from left to right, checking one element after another
* If there is a group of atoms, for example a nitrate group (NO3–) that has not changed from one side to the other, then count the whole group as one entity rather than counting the individual atoms
* Examples of chemical equations:
* Acid-base neutralisation reaction:
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**NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) ⟶ NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)**
* Redox reaction:
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**2Fe2O3 (aq) + 3C (s) ⟶ 4Fe (s) + 3CO2 (g)**
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* In each equation there are equal numbers of each atom on either side of the reaction arrow so the equations are balanced
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* Don't forget to add state symbols when writing balanced equations:
* (s) solid
* (l) liquid
* (g) gas
* (aq) aqueous