Chemical Reactions and Equations
In this lab you will investigate several chemical reactions. In each case you will make observations and
describe what you observe. You will make sure you have a word equation and a balanced chemical
equation to describe what is happening.
Chemical Equations
A chemical equation shows what REACTANTS are present before a reaction and what PRODUCTS get
made in the reaction. The simplest way to show this is in a word equation.
Eg
Hydrogen + oxygen
Reactants
water
Products
A symbol equation MUST be balanced. It shows what happens to individual atoms during the reaction. It
is a rule of course that atoms do not change during reactions, they just combine together in different
ways. That means you MUST show the same number of each type of atom present before and after the
reaction.
Balancing
Hydrogen + oxygen
water
Sodium + Chlorine
Sodium Chloride
Methane + Oxygen
carbon dioxide + water
Reactions: You MUST wear safety glasses at all times.
For each reaction: make sure you observe any temperature changes, gas being made (fizzing)
and any colour changes. Is a solid being made? Is anything dissolving?
Word Equation
Magnesium + hydrochloric acid
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
Hydrogen + oxygen
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
Copper carbonate + hydrochloric acid
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
Copper Oxide + hydrochloric acid
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
potassium iodide + lead nitrate
Symbol Equation
Observations
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Word Equation
Magnesium + nitric acid
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
Copper carbonate + nitric acid
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
ethanoic acid + sodium carbonate
Symbol equation
Observations
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Word Equation
sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid
Symbol equation
Observations
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