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Science Dept.

Chemistry CHE 100 Notes
I. Chemical Equations


  1. Chemical "Shorthand"

    1. Reactants are written on the Left

    2. Products are written on the Right

    3. Arrows show the direction of the reaction ---> or <--- or <===>;
      forward and backward arrows denote a reversible reaction

    4. Plus sign + on the line means AND

    5. H2(g); the subscript (g) denotes a gas

    6. H2O(l); the subscript (l) denotes a liquid

    7. NaCl(s); the subscript (s) denotes a solid

    8. AgCl(ppt); the subscript (ppt) denotes a solid precipitate

    9. If a substance is underlined, it denotes a chemical precipitate

    10. A downward arrow written next to a substance denotes a chemical precipitate

    11. An upward arrow written next to a substance denotes an escaping gas

    12. NaCl(aq); the subscript (aq) denotes an aqueous or water solution

    13. --Pt--> denotes the use of a catalyst, in this case Platinum

    14. --^--> or >--heat--> denotes the use of activation Energy

    15. Remember, because of the Law of Conservation of Mass,
      equations must be balanced

  2. Guidelines For Balancing Chemical Equations

    1. Guidelines

      1. Write correct formulas for the reactants and the products, and use the correct signs

      2. Choose the compound that has the greatest number of atoms of an element and then balance both sides of the equation

      3. Balance the polyatomic ions that do not change

      4. Balance the H and the O atoms

      5. Check all coefficients - all have to be whole numbers and the lowest ratio

      6. Check the balance from Left to Right

    2. Some Questions

      1. Does a Reaction Go?

        1. In the Equation to Predict

          1. Use the Solubility Table
          2. Use the Electromotive Series
          3. Use Previous Experience with Similar Reactions

        2. In the Experiment

          1. Gas Given Off ... Fizzing
          2. Foaming
          3. Color Change
          4. Light Given Off
          5. Heat Given Off
          6. Explosion
          7. Formation of a Precipitate

      2. If It Goes, How Fast Does It Go?

      3. Is there any Oxidation - Reduction?

        1. Oxidation - Loss of Electrons and an Increase in Oxidation Number

        2. Reduction - Gain of Electrons and a Decrease in Oxidation Number

  3. Some Examples to Balance

    1. Fe(s) + _____ HCl(aq) ----> FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)

    2. _____Ca(OH)2(aq) + _____H3PO4(aq) ----> Ca3(PO4)2(aq) + _____ H2O(l)

    3. CH4(g) + _____ O2(g) ----> CO2(g) + _____ H2O(l)

  4. Types of Chemical Reactions

    1. Combination or Synthesis Reactions

    2. Decomposition Reactions

    3. Single Replacement (or Displacement) Reactions

    4. Double Replacement (or Displacement) Reactions, Also Known as Metathesis

    5. Neutralization Reactions

  5. Combination or Synthesis Reactions

    1. A + Z ----> AZ

    2. _____ Fe(s) + _____ O2(g) ----> _____ Fe2O3(s)

    3. _____ Na(s) + Cl2(g) ----> _____ NaCl(s)

    4. S(s) + O2(g) ----> SO2(g)

    5. H2O(l) + SO3(g) ----> H2SO4(aq)

    6. _____ Mg(s) + O2(g) ----> _____MgO(s)

    7. H2O(l) + MgO(s) ----> Mg(OH)2(aq)

  6. Decomposition Reactions

    1. AZ ----> A + Z

    2. 2HgO(s) ----> 2Hg(l) + O2(g)

    3. CaCO3(s) --heat--> CaO(s) + CO2(g)

    4. 2H2O(g) --DC--> 2H2(g) + O2(g)

  7. Single Replacement (or Displacement) Reactions

    1. A + BZ ----> AZ + B or X + BZ ----> BX + Z

    2. Does a Reaction Go? Use the Electromotive Series:
      For metals, any element on the Left can replace any element on the Right in solution.

      Li K Ba Ca Na Mg Al Zn Fe Cd Ni Sn Pb (H) Cu Hg Ag Au

    3. For nonmetals, any element on the Left can replace any element on the Right in solution.

      F Cl Br I

    4. Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) ----> FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

    5. Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) ----> ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

    6. Zn(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) ----> Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)

    7. Cl2(g) + 2NaBr(ag) ----> 2NaCl(aq) + Br2

  8. Double Replacement (or Displacement) Reactions, Also Known as Metathesis

    1. AX + BZ ----> AZ + BX

    2. Does a Reaction Go? Use Information on Solubility

    3. AgNO3(aq) + HCl(aq) ---> HNO3(aq) + AgCl(ppt)

    4. CaCO3(s) + 2HCL(aq) ----> CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

  9. Neutralization Reactions

    1. HX + BOH ----> BX + HOH

    2. HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) ---> NaCl(aq) + HOH(l)

    3. H2SO4(aq) + Ba(OH)2(aq) ----> BaSO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

  10. Definitions

    1. Exothermic:

    2. Endothermic:

  11. How About a Quick Quiz?

 

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