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Balancing Equations
Balancing Equations
Spiral
Na + Cl NaCl
NaCl
Chemical Formulas
Chemical formula A “word” to represent a compound
coefficient
3 H 2O
subscript
Rules for reading
chemical formulas
Rule 1
Symbol stands for CaO 1 atom of calcium
1 atom of that 1 atom of oxygen
element
Rule 2
Subscript shows MgCl2 1 atom magnesium
more than 1 atom 2 atoms chlorine
of that element.
Subscript tells H2CO3 2 atoms hydrogen
how many atoms 1 atom carbon
of that element. 3 atoms oxygen
Rule 3
If a symbol or group of Ca(NO3)2 1 atom of calcium
symbols is surrounded 2 atoms of nitrogen
by parentheses, 6 atoms of oxygen
MULTIPLY the
number of each of
the atoms inside the
parentheses by the
subscript
Rule 4
Coefficient shows 3H2O 3 molecules of
# of molecules. water
No coefficient, only
1 molecule. H2O 1 molecule of
water
Make the following chart on
the left hand page
2
2
4 8
12
6 6
6
1 1
2
4 8
12
2 2
6
Balancing Chemical Equations
Molecule Combination of 2 or more atoms
Chemical Equation Na + Cl NaCl
reactants product
beginning materials at
materials the end of the
reaction
H = 2O = 2 H = 2 O = 1
Concentration
Catalysts
Inhibitors