Recording-2025-03-13T02:23:58.196Z

Understanding Chemical Reactions

• Chemical reactions demonstrate the rearrangement of atoms without loss or gain.

• Reactants are located on the left side of the equation, while products are on the right, with an arrow indicating the direction of the reaction.

• Example: Hydrogen gas (H + H) combines to form diatomic hydrogen (H2).

Example: Sodium and Chlorine Reaction

• Sodium exists as Na and chlorine as Cl2 in nature.

• The reaction between sodium and chlorine produces sodium chloride (NaCl).

• Chemical Equation: Na + Cl2 → NaCl

Identifying Atom Counts

• On the left side:

  • 1 Sodium (Na)

  • 2 Chlorines (Cl)

• On the right side:

  • 1 Sodium (Na)

  • 1 Chlorine (Cl)

• Notice the imbalance: 2 Cl on the left but only 1 Cl on the right side of the equation.

Balancing Chemical Reactions

• Atoms must not be lost or gained; hence reactions need to be balanced.

• Use coefficients (numbers in front of the substances) to balance the equation.

Steps to Balance the Equation

1. Identify Imbalances: We need to balance Cl.

   • Currently, 2 Cl on the left side and only 1 Cl on the right.

2. Add Coefficient to NaCl: To balance Cl, add a coefficient of 2 before NaCl:

   • Updated equation: Na + Cl2 → 2 NaCl

3. Recheck Sodium Count: This now gives 1 Sodium on the left and 2 Sodiuns on the right, creating an imbalance for Na.

4. Add Coefficient to Sodium: To balance Na, add a coefficient of 2 to Na:

   • Balanced equation: 2 Na + Cl2 → 2 NaCl

Conclusion: Characteristics of a Balanced Equation

• After balancing, both sides of the equation have:

  • 2 Sodiums (Na) on both sides

  • 2 Chlorines (Cl) on both sides

• A balanced reaction ensures the conservation of mass, reflecting that no atoms are lost or gained, merely rearranged.