In a chemical reaction, reactants are changed into new substances called products. The atoms are rearranged into new combinations, but no atoms are created or destroyed.
A word equation names the substances: hydrogen + oxygen → water. A balanced formula equation shows the formulas and has the same number of each type of atom on both sides: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O. Check: on the left there are 2 × 2 = 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms; on the right there are 2 × 2 = 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 × 1 = 2 oxygen atoms.
To balance an equation, change only the coefficients (the large numbers in front of formulas). Count each type of atom, balance one element at a time, and leave elements that appear on their own (such as O₂) until last.
1.In the reaction methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water, name the reactants and the products. (answer space)
2.Write a word equation for the reaction of hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide, which produces sodium chloride and water. (answer space)
3.Give three observations that show a chemical reaction may have taken place. (answer space)
4.Why must you never change the small subscript numbers in a formula when balancing an equation?- AIt would change the substance into a different one
- BIt would make the equation too long
- CSubscripts only apply to gases
- DIt would change the mass of the container