Word Equations & Balancing

Yesterday, we learned about Word Equations & Balancing in chem11.  However, because we were already taught this topic throughout Science 10 (last year), it was a review for most of us.  But it was still a much needed review and the class was really thankful to get some practice in before going on to the "real" topics of chem11! Here are some helpful notes and reminders that Mr. Doktor gave us that day...

Phase Symbols: they indicate the phase of a chemical.  So they are either solid (s), liquid (l), gas (g), or an aqueous solution which means dissolved in water (aq).

Chemical Equations from Word Equations:  the main objective of this class was to learn how to understand the meaning of chemical equations, to change chemical equations into words, and finally to balance them!  So, we were reminded of the diatomic seven (H, N, O, F, Cl, Br, and I) which all end with the subscript 2 when placed alone in a chemical reaction.  Another good trick to remember them is that the start at the atomic # 7 and form the shape of a seven when you look at them on the periodic table, minus hydrogen.  Also, we similarly learned about the polyatomic molecules found on the periodic table which are P with the subscript 4, and S with the subscript 8.  The final thing that we got from that section of notes was that in chem11, a solution means something is dissolved in water.  Therefore the phase is aqueous.  

After we wrote down those notes, we immediately got into practicing!  We went over basic balancing and analyzing word equations until the very end of the class.  We were also given some more homework to do at home regarding balancing and word equations from our textbook.  SO, over all Tuesday was a very productive day for Mr. Doktor's chem11 students! 

Here's a helpful video on the basics of Balancing:

Have a great day! :D