Writing a balanced chemical equation

A chemical equation shows the overall change of reactants to products in a chemical reaction.

Sometimes, state symbols are required to indicate the physical states of the substances in a chemical reaction.

Conversion of word equation to chemical equation

Example:

In a precipitation reaction, sodium hydroxide solution is mixed with iron(II) chloride solution. Sodium Chloride solution and insoluble iron(II) hydroxide are produced. Write a balanced chemical equation including the state symbols.

Solution:

Step 1: Identify reactants and products and place them in a word equation,

sodium hydroxide + iron(II) chloride → sodium chloride + iron(II) hydroxide

Step 2: Convert the chemical names into chemical formulas. Place them based on the chemical equation and write the state symbols.

Step 3: Balance the chemical equation.

2NaOH(aq) + FeCl₂(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + Fe(OH)₂(s)

Example:

Write a balanced chemical equation for

Sodium(s) + hydrochloric acid(aq) → sodium chloride(aq) + hydrogen(g)

Solution:

Step 1: Convert the chemical names into chemical formulas. Place them based on the chemical equation and write the state symbols.

Step 2: Balance the chemical equation.

2Na(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H₂(g)

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