APPENDIX 7: SYMBOLS IN CHEMICAL EQUATIONS

Chemical formula: indicates the number of each atom in a substance. Examples: H2(g) O2(g) H2O(l)
∆
Chemical equation: indicates a chemical reaction with reactants and products. Example: hydrogen(g) + oxygen(g) → water(l)

Symbol “Translation” into English Function

→ “produces” , “yields”, “gives” (“creates”) To separate the reactants from the products. Never substitute with = signs.

+ “and” To separate reactants from other reactants (or products from other products
Fe(s)
→ Catalyzed* by iron (solid). Information over the arrow indicates catalysis or solvent.

∆
→ The reactant(s) is(are) heated. Information over the arrow indicates catalysis or solvent.

electrolysis
→ The reaction (rxn) is catalyzed through electrolysis
Information over the arrow indicates catalysis or solvent.
elec. (electricity).
→
hν The reaction undergoes photolysis (catalyzed with
→ The term “h” (nu = frequency) represents the energy of a photon of light
light/radiation).
4 °C
→ The reaction occurs at 4°C. Temperature over the arrow indicates rxn temperature.
alcohol(l)
→ The reaction occurs in alcohol. Information over the arrow indicates catalysis or solvent.

(s) “solid” (powder, crystals, ingot, precipitate, etc...) Written as a subscript to indicate the state of a substance.

 Old school: specifically indicates a precipitate (ppt) Indicates a solid precipitate (product side only).

(l) or (l) “liquid” Written as a subscript to indicate the state of a substance

(g) “gas” (gas, bubbles) Written as a subscript to indicate the state of a substance.
Indicates a gas on the product side only, especially when the reactants are not
 Old school: specifically indicates a “gas” product.
gases. Never seen on reactant side.
(aq) “aqueous” (dissolved in water, solution) Written as a subscript, indicates substance is dissolved in water.

NR No reaction (no rxn) Indicates no observable change in physical/chemical properties.

* “Catalysis” (for now) means “makes the reaction go faster.”

Examples:

hydrochloric acid(aq) + sodium carbonate(s)  sodium chloride(aq) + carbon dioxide(g) + water(l)

aqueous hydrochloric acid and solid sodium carbonate produce aqueous sodium chloride and carbon dioxide gas and water

sodium phosphate(aq) + barium nitrate(aq)  sodium nitrate(aq) + barium phosphate(s)

aqueous sodium phosphate and aqueous barium nitrate yield aqueous sodium nitrate and solid barium phosphate

OR a solution of sodium phosphate and a solution of barium nitrate yield a solution of sodium nitrate and a barium phosphate precipitate

iron(II) chloride(aq) + sodium hydroxide(aq)  iron(II) hydroxide  + sodium chloride(aq)

aqueous iron(II) chloride and aqueous sodium hydroxide yield solid iron(II) hydroxide and aqueous sodium chloride

OR a solution of iron(II) chloride and a solution of sodium hydroxide yield an iron(II) hydroxide precipitate and a solution of sodium chloride

sulfuric acid(aq) + potassium(s)  potassium sulfate(aq) + hydrogen 

aqueous sulfuric acid and potassium solid yield aqueous potassium sulfate and hydrogen gas

OR a solution of sulfuric acid and potassium solid yield a solution of potassium sulfate and gaseous hydrogen

hν
hydrogen peroxide(l) → water(l) + oxygen(g)
liquid hydrogen peroxide when catalyzed with light, produces water and oxygen gas

elec.
potassium sulfide(s) → potassium(s) + sulfur(s)
solid potassium sulfide when catalyzed with electricity, produces potassium metal (solid) and solid sulfur

Δ
methane(g) + oxygen(g) → carbon dioxide(g) + water(g)
methane gas and oxygen gas when heated, produce carbon dioxide gas and water vapor