Module 4.

3:
Chemical Reactions and
Chemical Equations
Objectives
• to be able to write and balance chemical equations
• to derive pertinent information from a balanced
chemical equation
• to interpret the meaning of a balanced reaction in
terms of the Law of Conservation of Mass
• to classify the chemical reactions
Chemical Reaction
A process in which at least one substance is
produced as a result of chemical change.

H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2 HCl(g)

Chemical Reaction
Reactants are the substances that enter into a
chemical reaction. Products are the
substances formed.
H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2 HCl(g)
Chemical Reaction
When a substance is placed in water, we
indicate this with aq, meaning it is in an
aqueous environment or in a solution with
water.
KBr(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → KNO3(aq) + AgBr(s)
Chemical Reaction
Rules in writing chemical reactions:
1. Always follow the rules in
writing the correct chemical
formula of a compound.
(Recall from Module 2.2)
Chemical Reaction
Rules in writing chemical reactions:
2. An element that is gaseous at
room temperature is represented
by its natural molecular formula.
(Recall diatomic gases and monoatomic gases)
Chemical Reaction
Rules in writing chemical reactions:
3. An element in solid or liquid
state is represented in equations
by the element's chemical
symbol.
Chemical Reaction
Placing the coefficient and subscript:
The coefficient applies to the whole formula
while the subscript affects only the element it
is written on (except when it is a subscript to
a polyatomic ion).
2 NaHCO3
Balancing Chemical Reaction
Recall Module 2.1, Law of Conservation of Mass.
This relates to a chemical reaction by telling
us that the number of atoms of an element in
the reactant side should also be equal to the
number of atoms of that same element in the
product side.
Balancing Chemical Reaction
Ethane reacts with oxygen gas to produce
carbon dioxide and water. Write the
balanced chemical equation for the
reaction.
Balancing Chemical Reaction
Ethane reacts with oxygen gas to produce carbon
dioxide and water. Write the balanced chemical equation
for the reaction.
Step 1: Identify the reactants and
products, and write their correct
formulas.

C2H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

Balancing Chemical Reaction
Ethane reacts with oxygen gas to produce carbon
dioxide and water. Write the balanced chemical equation
for the reaction.
Step 2: Count the number of atoms of all
elements in the reactant and product
side.
Reactant Product
C: 2 1
H: 6 2
O: 2 3
Balancing Chemical Reaction
Ethane reacts with oxygen gas to produce carbon
dioxide and water. Write the balanced chemical equation
for the reaction.
Step 3: Add coefficients to components
that need to be adjusted. Start with
those with two or more elements in the
compound.

C2H6 + O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

Balancing Chemical Reaction
Ethane reacts with oxygen gas to produce carbon
dioxide and water. Write the balanced chemical equation
for the reaction.
Step 4: Continue until all elements have
equal number of atoms on reactant and
product side (whole number coefficients
only).

C2H6 + 7/2O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

Balancing Chemical Reaction
Ethane reacts with oxygen gas to produce carbon
dioxide and water. Write the balanced chemical equation
for the reaction.
In case you get a fractional coefficient,
multiply the denominator to all
components.

2C2H6 + 7O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O

Exercises
Balance the following reactions.
_C + _O2 → _CO
_Mg + _O2 → _MgO
_H2O2 → _H2O + _O2
_CH4 + _O2 → _CO2 + _H2O
_N O → _N O + _O
Answers
Balance the following reactions.
2C + 1O2 → 2CO
2Mg + 1O2 → 2MgO
2H2O2 → 2H2O + 1O2
1CH4 + 2O2 → 1CO2 + 2H2O
2N O → 2N O + 1O
Worksheet
At the back of your worksheet. Balance the following chemical
reactions and name the chemicals and elements involved.
_FeBr3 + _ H2SO4 → _Fe2(SO4)3 + _HBr
_KOH + _H3PO4 → _K3PO4 + _H2O
_SnO2 + _H2 → _Sn + _H2O
_KNO3 + _H2CO3 → _K2CO3 + _HNO3
_B2Br6 + _HNO3 → _B(NO3)3 + _HBr
Worksheet
At the back of your worksheet. Balance the following chemical
reactions and name the chemicals and elements involved.
2FeBr3 + 3 H2SO4 → 1Fe2(SO4)3 + 6HBr
3KOH + 1H3PO4 → 1K3PO4 + 3H2O
1SnO2 + 2H2 → 1Sn + 2H2O
2KNO3 + 1H2CO3 → 1K2CO3 + 2HNO3
1B2Br6 + 6HNO3 → 2B(NO3)3 + 6HBr
Types of Chemical Reactions
Most chemical reactions can be classified into five
types.
1. Decomposition Reaction: a reactant breaks
down into two or more products
AB → A + B
Li2CO3 → Li2O + CO2
Types of Chemical Reactions
Most chemical reactions can be classified into five
types.
2. Synthesis Reaction: two or more reactants
form a single product
A + B → AB
2NO + O2 → 2NO2
Types of Chemical Reactions
Most chemical reactions can be classified into five
types.
3. Single Displacement Reaction: one
element replaces another in a compound
A + BC → AC + B
Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Types of Chemical Reactions
Most chemical reactions can be classified into five
types.
4. Double Displacement Reaction: two
ionic compounds exchange ions
AB + CD → AD + CB
2KI(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) → 2KNO3(aq) + PbI2(s)
Types of Chemical Reactions
Most chemical reactions can be classified into five
types.
5. Combustion Reaction: a hydrocarbon (a
compound containing carbon and hydrogen) reacts with
oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water

Hydrocarbon + O2 → CO2 + H2O

2C2H6 + 7O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O
Individual Task
Provide an example of each type of chemical reaction through a
balanced equation. Provide the names of each element/compound
involved in the chemical equation.
1. Decomposition Reaction
2. Synthesis Reaction
3. Single Displacement Reaction
4. Double Displacement Reaction
5. Combustion Reaction