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Chemical Equations

A chemical equation shows what happens in a chemical reaction using symbols or words. The reactants (the chemicals that are reacting) are on the left-hand side, and the products (the chemicals that are forming) are on the right-hand side.

Word equations

Word equations

  • The word equation for the creation of sodium oxide is:
    • sodium + oxygen → sodium oxide
Symbol equations

Symbol equations

  • Symbol equations must be 'balanced' (have the same number of atoms of each element on each side of the equation). This is because atoms aren't created or destroyed during chemical reactions.
  • The balanced symbol equation for the creation of sodium oxide is:
                      4Na + O2 → 2Na2O
Jump to other topics
1

States of Matter

2

Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3

Atomic Structure

4

The Periodic Table

5

Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6

Bonding

7

Electrolysis

8

Groups of the Periodic Table

9

The Atmosphere

10

Reactivity Series

11

Metal Extraction

12

Acids & Alkalis

13

Chemical Tests

14

Physical Chemistry

15

Organic Chemistry

Practice questions on Forming Equations

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