Lesson 1
Reactions and Equations
Focus Question
How are chemical reactions modeled?
New Vocabulary
chemical reaction
reactant
product
chemical equation
coefficient
Review Vocabulary
chemical change: a process involving one or more
substances changing into a new substance
Chemical Reactions
• The process by which the atoms of one or
more substances are rearranged to form
different substances is called a chemical
reaction.
• A chemical reaction is another name for a
chemical change.
Chemical Reactions
Evidence of a Chemical Reaction
• A temperature change can indicate a chemical
reaction. Many reactions release energy in
the form of heat and light. Other chemical
reactions absorb heat.
• Color change can indicate a chemical reaction.
• Odor, gas bubbles, and the formation of a
solid are other indications of chemical
change.
Representing Chemical Reactions
• Equations are used to
represent chemical
reactions.
• Equations show a
reaction’s reactants
(starting substances) and
products (substances
formed).
• The table shows the
symbols used in chemical
equations.
Representing Chemical Reactions
Word Equations
aluminum(s) + bromine(l) → aluminum bromide(s)
• In this word equation, aluminum(s) + bromine(l)
→ aluminum bromide(s) reads as “aluminum and
bromine react to produce aluminum bromide.”
• Word equations lack information about the
number of atoms involved.
Representing Chemical Reactions
Skeleton Equations
Al(s) + Br(l) → AlBr3(s)
• Skeleton equations use symbols and formulas to
represent reactants and products.
• These equations also lack information about the
number of atoms involved.
Representing Chemical Reactions
Chemical Equations
A chemical equation uses chemical formulas to
show the identities and relative amounts of the
substances involved in a chemical reaction.
Balancing Chemical Equations
A coefficient in a chemical equation is the number
written in front of a reactant or product.
Balancing Chemical Equations
Steps for Balancing Equations
1. Write the skeleton equation for the reaction.
2. Count the atoms of the elements in the reactants.
3. Count the atoms of the elements in the products.
4. Change the coefficients only (not the subscript) to
make the number of each element equal on both
sides of the equation. This shows that atoms are
conserved.
5. Do not insert coefficients in between the formulas.
6. Write the coefficients in their lowest possible
ratio(simplify).
7. Check your work.
Writing a Balanced Chemical Equation
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
Use with Example Problem 1.
Write the skeleton equation for the chemical
Problem reaction. Be sure to put the reactants on the
Write the balanced chemical equation for left side of the arrow and the products on the
the reaction in which aqueous sodium right. Separate the substances with plus signs,
hydroxide and aqueous calcium bromide and indicate their physical states.
react to produce solid calcium hydroxide and
aqueous sodium bromide. NaOH(aq) + CaBr2(aq) → Ca(OH)2(s) + NaBr(aq)
• Count the atoms of each element in the
Response reactants.
ANALYZE THE PROBLEM 1 Na, 1 O, 1 H, 1 Ca, 2 Br
You are given the reactants and products in a • Count the atoms of each element in the
chemical reaction. Start with a skeleton equation, products.
and use the steps for balancing chemical
1 Na, 2 O, 2 H, 1 Ca, 1 Br
equations.
Writing a Balanced Chemical Equation
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN EVALUATE THE ANSWER
• Insert the coefficient 2 in front of NaOH to The chemical formulas for all substances are
balance the hydroxide ions. written correctly. The number of atoms of
each element is equal on both sides of the
2NaOH + CaBr2 → Ca(OH)2 + NaBr equation. The coefficients are written in the
• Insert the coefficient 2 in front of NaBr to lowest possible ratio. The balanced chemical
balance the Na and Br atoms. equation for the reaction is
2NaOH + CaBr2 → Ca(OH)2 + 2NaBr
2NaOH(aq) + CaBr2(aq) → Ca(OH)2(s) +
• Write the coefficients in their lowest- 2NaBr(aq)
possible ratio.
The ratio of the coefficients is 2:1:1:2.
• Check to make sure that the number of
atoms of each element is equal on both
sides of the equation.
Reactants: 2 Na, 2 OH, 1 Ca, 2 Br
Products: 2 Na, 2 OH, 1 Ca, 2 Br.
Quiz
1. Which of the following is not an example of a
chemical reaction?
A rusting iron
B burning wood
C boiling water CORRECT
D rotting food
Quiz
2. Which of the following is not true about coefficients
in a balanced chemical equation?
A They are numbers C They describe the
written in front of highest whole number
reactants or products. ratio of the amounts of
all reactants and
products. CORRECT
B They are usually whole D They are not usually
numbers. written if the value is 1.
Quiz
3. Which observation is NOT physical evidence that a
chemical reaction has occurred?
A There is an odor change.
B A solid is no longer magnetic.
C A solid melts. CORRECT
D A solid changes color.
Quiz
4. Which of the following is NOT true about balancing
chemical equations?
A Subscripts should never C Coefficients are changed
be changed to balance to make the number of
the equation. each element equal on
both sides.
B Coefficients are written D Subscripts are changed
in their lowest possible to make the number of
ratio. each element equal on
both sides. CORRECT
