Skeleton Equations
Skeleton Equations are equations that are unbalanced, meaning they do not
have an equal amount of each element on both sides of the equation
Symbols to indicate state of compound:
(s) – solid
(g) – gas
(l) – liquid
(aq) – aqueous (dissolved in water)
Any diatomic element found by itself must have a subscript of 2!
Task #1: Covert the following word equations to skeleton equations. Be sure to include to state of matter that
each compound as a subscript. Also, state the type of reaction that takes place.
Example: Silver nitrate + copper  silver + copper nitrate
Solution: AgNO3 (aq) + Cu(s)  Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2 (aq)
This is a single displacement reaction
(a) Iron + sulphur  Iron(II) sulphide
____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) Hydrogen gas + chlorine gas  hydrogen chloride
____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) Magnesium + oxygen gas  magnesium oxide
____________________________________________________________________________________
(d) Aluminum oxide  aluminum + oxygen gas
____________________________________________________________________________________
(e) Hydrogen gas + oxygen gas  water
____________________________________________________________________________________
(f) Hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide  sodium chloride + water
___________________________________________________________________________________
(g) Methane gas + oxygen gas  carbon dioxide + water
____________________________________________________________________________________
(h) Potassium hydroxide + hydrogen bromide  potassium bromide + water
____________________________________________________________________________________
(i) Carbon + oxygen gas  carbon dioxide
____________________________________________________________________________________
(j) Tin (II) oxide + hydrogen gas  tin + water
____________________________________________________________________________________
(k) Write your own word equation, then write the skeleton equation for it
(l) Write your own word equation, then write the skeleton equation for it