Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: QLink on May 11, 2004, 07:03:16 AM

Title: Chemical Reactions (Equations)
Post by: QLink on May 11, 2004, 07:03:16 AM

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody can help me with understanding the chemical formula and ionic equations..
Blancing an equation, braking up equations and making an ionic equation..

Thanks

Title: Re:Chemical Reactions (Equations)
Post by: jdurg on May 11, 2004, 07:10:47 AM

Well, the gist of it is that whatever is on the right side of the equation must also be on the left side of the equation.  The left and right sides have to have the same number of the same atoms.  The compounds will of course be different, but the atoms themselves will stay constant.  When talking about ionic equations, in addition to the number and type of atoms being the same, the net charge must be the same as well.  So if the left side of the equation has an overall charge of +2, the right side must have an overall charge of +2 as well.  Does that make sense?