Chem 1670 Lecture 4: Chemical Equations and Aqueous Solutions (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on chemical formulas, equations, balancing, aqueous solutions, solubility rules, and net ionic equations.

Chemical formula

Concise representation of the types and numbers of atoms in a compound.

Chemical equation

A symbolic representation of a chemical reaction showing reactants on the left and products on the right.

Reactant

A starting substance on the left side of a chemical equation.

Product

A substance formed on the right side of a chemical equation.

Law of conservation of matter

Matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; atoms are conserved and rearranged.

Balancing a chemical equation

Adjusting coefficients so the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides.

Stoichiometric coefficient

The number in front of a formula unit that multiplies its atoms in a balanced equation.

Stoichiometry

Quantitative relationships between reactants and products in a chemical reaction.

Aqueous solution

A solution in which the solvent is water.

Solvent

The component present in the greatest amount in a solution (often water in aqueous solutions).

Solute

The component dissolved in the solvent; present in a lesser amount.

Solubility

The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.

Solubility rules

Guidelines predicting which ionic compounds dissolve in water at room temperature.

Precipitation reaction

A reaction where two aqueous solutions form an insoluble solid (precipitate).

Spectator ion

An ion that appears unchanged on both sides of a reaction and does not participate in the net ionic change.

Net ionic equation

An ionic equation that shows only the species that actually undergo a change, with spectator ions removed.

Complete ionic (full ionic) equation

An equation that shows all ions present in solution, including spectator ions, for strong electrolytes.

Ionic equation

A general term for an equation written for reactions in solution, showing ions in solution.

Acid-base neutralization

A reaction where an acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water.

Hydrocarbon

Organic compound that contains only carbon and hydrogen.

Organic compound

A compound primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen, often with other elements.

Combustion

Reaction of a hydrocarbon with oxygen producing carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy.

Soluble

Dissolves readily in water.

Insoluble

Does not dissolve readily in water.

State symbol

Notation indicating the physical state of a substance in a chemical equation (g, l, s, aq).

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.