Getting a Grip on Chemical Equations

In the end, chemistry is about action — about the breaking and making of bonds. Chemists describe action by using chemical equations, sentences that say who reacted with whom and who remained when the smoke cleared. This chapter explains how to read, write, balance, and predict the products of these action-packed chemical sentences. 

In general, all chemical equations are written in the basic form 

Chemists fill chemical equations with symbols because they think it looks cool and, more importantly, because the symbols pack a lot of meaning into a small space. Table 8-1 summarizes the most important symbols you find in chemical equations. 

A This symbol, usually written above the y/e/ds symbol, signifies that heat is added to the reactants. 

LiCI Sometimes a chemical symbol (such as those for nickel or lithium chloride here) is written above the y/e/ds symbol. This means that the indicated chemical was added as a catalyst. Catalysts speed up reactions but do not otherwise participate in them. 

---