Word Equations in Chemistry

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Part 1: Understanding Word Equations

Instructions: Word equations describe chemical reactions using the names of substances instead of chemical formulas. They follow this pattern:

Reactant(s) → Product(s)

Example: magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide

1. Which of the following are reactants in this word equation: iron + sulfur → iron sulfide?

iron

sulfur

iron sulfide

oxygen

2. What is the product in this reaction: carbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide?

Answer: ____________________

3. Complete the following word equations by filling in the missing parts:

a) magnesium hydroxide + _____________ → magnesium nitrate + water

b) sodium + oxygen → _____________

c) zinc + ______________ → zinc oxide

5. Write complete word equations for the following reactions:

a) Zinc metal reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.

b) Calcium is burnt in air to produce calcium oxide

c) Copper oxide reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce copper chloride and water.

6. Look at the following everyday chemical reactions and write the word equations:

b) When iron rusts, iron reacts with oxygen to form iron oxide.

Challenge question: When you light a candle, the wax (containing carbon and hydrogen) burns in air to produce carbon dioxide and water vapour.

7. Explain in your own words why word equations are useful in chemistry: