Chemical Equation Chemistry Example 2

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Example 2

medium
Interpret the following chemical equation including state symbols: Na2CO3(s)+2HCl(aq)→2NaCl(aq)+H2O(l)+CO2(g)\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3\text{(s)} + 2\text{HCl(aq)} \rightarrow 2\text{NaCl(aq)} + \text{H}_2\text{O(l)} + \text{CO}_2\text{(g)}. What does each state symbol mean?

Solution

  1. 1
    State symbols indicate the physical state of each substance: (s) = solid, (l) = liquid, (g) = gas, (aq) = aqueous (dissolved in water).
  2. 2
    Na2CO3\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 is a solid reactant. HCl is dissolved in water (aqueous). NaCl is produced in aqueous solution.
  3. 3
    H2O\text{H}_2\text{O} is produced as a liquid. CO2\text{CO}_2 is produced as a gas (which would be observed as bubbling).

Answer

(s) solid, (l) liquid, (g) gas, (aq) aqueous (dissolved in water)\text{(s) solid, (l) liquid, (g) gas, (aq) aqueous (dissolved in water)}
State symbols provide additional information beyond the chemical formula. They help predict observable changes (like gas evolution or precipitate formation) and are required for complete chemical equations.

About Chemical Equation

A written representation of a chemical reaction using chemical formulas for reactants and products, coefficients to indicate mole ratios, state symbols to show physical states.

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More Chemical Equation Examples

Example 1 easy

What information does a balanced chemical equation convey? Explain using [formula] as an example.

Example 3 medium

Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the reaction of solid iron with oxygen gas

Example 4 hard

A student writes the following unbalanced equation for the reaction of aluminum with sulfuric acid:

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