Chemistry: Chemical Equations and Element Properties

A set of 10 vocabulary flashcards defining key terms and symbols used in chemical equations and element classification based on the lecture notes.

Chemical Equation

A written representation of a chemical reaction using symbols, formulas, and signs, which serves as the chemists' shorthand for describing the sequence of a reaction.

Word Equation

A type of equation that uses the names of the chemicals involved to depict a reaction without using chemical symbols or formulae.

Reactants

The substances involved in a reaction that are written on the left side of the reaction arrow.

Products

The substances formed during a reaction that are written on the right side of the reaction arrow.

$$(aq)$$

A state symbol indicating that a reactant or product is in an aqueous solution, which means it is dissolved in water.

$$\downarrow$$

An alternative symbol to $(s)$ used only to represent a precipitate, which is a solid formed in a solution.

Catalyst

A substance used to alter the rate of a reaction, such as manganese dioxide ($MnO_2$), whose formula is written above the reaction arrow.

Coefficient

A number in a chemical equation, such as the $2$ in $2H_2$, used to represent the quantity of the substance involved in the reaction.

$$\rightleftharpoons$$

A symbol used in place of a single arrow to indicate that a chemical reaction is reversible.

Metalloids

Elements with a metallic behavior that is between metals and nonmetals, characterized as semiconductors with a shiny or dull appearance.