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Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Word equations, symbols and balanced equations

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Writing reactions as word equations and symbol equations, reactants and products either side of the arrow, looking up element symbols, naming compounds from formulae, why and how symbol equations are balanced, half equations for sodium and chloride ions, and what an ionic equation shows.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

In an equation for a reaction, what is written on each side of the arrow?

Key term

Write the word equation for magnesium burning in oxygen.

Key term

Which element has the symbol K?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What are the two ways a chemical reaction can be written as an equation?

    Model answer

    It can be written as a word equation or as an equation using symbols and formulae.

  2. 2

    In an equation for a reaction, what is written on each side of the arrow?

    Model answer

    The reactants are written on the left and the products on the right.

  3. 3

    Write the word equation for magnesium burning in oxygen.

    Model answer

    Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide.

  4. 4

    Where can you look up the symbol of an element you cannot remember?

    Model answer

    In the periodic table, which lists every element with its symbol.

  5. 5

    Which element has the symbol K?

    Model answer

    K is potassium.

  6. 6

    Name the compound with the formula NaCl.

    Model answer

    It is sodium chloride.

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Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Bonding, Structure, and the Properties of Matter
Chemical Analysis
Chemical Changes

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ALithium compounds produce a crimson flame.
BSodium compounds produce a yellow flame.
CPotassium compounds produce a lilac flame.

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Base means any substance that neutralises an acid.
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