CHM2045 Class 4- Balancing Equations and Quantitative Relations
Page 1: Chemical Reactions
Reactants: Zinc (Zn) + Iodine (I2)
Product: Zinc Iodide (ZnI2)
Page 2: Introduction to Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions occur when bonds between atoms are formed or broken.
These reactions involve:
Changes in matter
Formation of new materials with new properties
Accompanying energy changes.
Notation used in chemistry:
Symbols: Represent elements.
Formulas: Describe compounds.
Chemical Equations: Describe a chemical reaction.
Page 3: Parts of a Reaction Equation
Chemical Equations: Show conversion of reactants to products.
Reactants are on the left side of the arrow.
Products are on the right side of the arrow.
A plus sign (+) separates different molecules on the same side.
The arrow (→) is read as "yields".
Example: C + O2 → CO2
This is read as “carbon plus oxygen react to yield carbon dioxide.”
Page 4: Example Reaction
Charcoal (carbon) reacts with oxygen to yield carbon dioxide:
Equation: C + O2 → CO2
Provides both qualitative and quantitative meaning.
Page 5: Symbols Used in Chemical Equations
Common Symbols:
Solid (s)
Liquid (l)
Gas (g)
Aqueous solution (aq)
Catalyst (e.g., H2SO4)
Escaping gas (g)
Precipitate (s)
Change of temperature (Δ)
Page 6: Representing Reactions
Represents H2 reacting with O2 to form H2O:
A chemical equation uses chemical symbols to show changes in a chemical reaction.
Page 7: Conservation of Matter
A chemical equation must be balanced, preserving the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
historical reference: Antoine Lavoisier, 1788.
Page 8: Balancing Equations
Only coefficients can be added to balance equations, never change subscripts as they define compounds' identities.
Subscripts are determined by valence electrons.
Page 9: Subscripts vs. Coefficients
Subscripts: Indicate the number of atoms of an element in a compound.
Coefficients: Indicate the quantity (number of molecules) of the compound.
Page 10: Steps to Balancing Equations
Write correct formulas for reactants and products without balancing.
Count atoms for each element on both sides.
Add coefficients to balance atoms for each element.
Verify if all atoms are balanced and coefficients are in lowest ratios.
Page 11: Helpful Hints for Balancing Equations
Tackle one element at a time, left to right but save H and O for last.
If Oxygen is unbalanced with no whole number solution, double all coefficients.
For polyatomic ions appearing on both sides, balance them as independent units.
Page 12: Example of Balancing Equations
Example: H2(g) + O2(g) → H2O(l)
Initial equation is unbalanced and requires adjustments.
Page 13: Balancing Example Explained
Balanced Equation:
H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(l)
Two hydrogen atoms combine with one oxygen atom to produce two water molecules, achieving balance.
Page 14: Practice Balancing Equations
Balance the following reactions:
Al(s) + Br2(l) → Al2Br6(s)
C3H8(g) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Page 15: Balancing Continued
Balanced Reactions:
Al(s) + 3 Br2(l) → Al2Br6(s)
C3H8(g) + 5 O2(g) → 3 CO2(g) + 4 H2O(g)
Page 16: Balancing Complex Reactions
Example: B4H10(g) + O2(g) → B2O3(g) + H2O(g)
Initial coefficients: 2 B4H10 + 5 O2 → 2 B2O3 + 10 H2O
Multiply coefficients for the final balance.
Page 17: Using Polyatomic Ions
Approach reactions involving polyatomic ions such as PO4 as single units when balancing.
Example: Na3PO4 + Fe2O3 → Na2O + FePO4
Page 18: Interpreting Chemical Equations
Example Equation: 4 Al(s) + 3 O2(g) → 2 Al2O3(s)
It indicates that 4 aluminum atoms combined with 3 oxygen molecules yield 2 Al2O3 units.
Page 19: Understanding Chemical Equations
Breakdown described:
2 Mg + O2 → 2 MgO
2 atoms of Mg and 1 molecule of O2 yield 2 formula units of MgO.
Proper mass translation is important during balance.
Page 20: Steps for Calculating Mass Changes
Write a balanced chemical equation.
Convert known quantities into moles.
Calculate sought moles using coefficients.
Convert moles to desired units.
Page 21: Practical Example of Reaction
When methanol (CH3OH) burns in air:
2CH3OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 4H2O
Using 209 g of methanol produces a calculated 235 g of water based on stoichiometry.
Page 22: Limiting Reagents
After reaction analysis:
Limiting reagent details demonstrated with reactant references.
Page 23: Understanding Limiting Reactants
Example reaction: 124 g Al with 601 g Fe2O3 leading to formation of Al2O3.
Comparison and calculations reveal Fe2O3 is in excess; Al is the limiting reagent.
Page 24: Yield Concepts
Theoretical Yield: The max amount of product if limiting reagent reacts fully.
Actual Yield: The amount of product obtained from a reaction.
Percent Yield Formula:
% Yield = (Actual Yield / Theoretical Yield) x 100.