What are the steps to write net ionic equations?
1. Write the balanced molecular equation. 2. Dissociate all aqueous compounds into ions. 3. Identify and cancel out spectator ions. 4. Write the final net ionic equation with only the reacting species.
What are the steps to balance chemical equations?
1. Write out the unbalanced equation. 2. Start by balancing elements that appear in only one compound on each side. 3. Balance polyatomic ions as a single unit if they appear unchanged on both sides. 4. Balance hydrogen and oxygen last. 5. Double-check that all atoms and charges are balanced.
How to assign oxidation numbers?
1. Elemental form = 0. 2. Monatomic ion = charge. 3. Oxygen = -2 (except in peroxides). 4. Hydrogen = +1 (except with metals). 5. Sum = 0 (neutral compound) or charge (polyatomic ion).
What happens in a combustion reaction?
A hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, releasing a lot of energy.
What happens when a limiting reactant is completely used up?
The reaction stops, and the amount of product formed is limited by the amount of the limiting reactant.
What happens during neutralization?
An acid and a base react to form a salt and water.
What is the effect of increase in oxidation number?
Oxidation (loss of electrons).
What is the effect of decrease in oxidation number?
Reduction (gain of electrons).
What is a chemical reaction?
Rearrangement of atoms and molecules to form new substances; bonds are broken and new bonds are formed.
Define a synthesis reaction.
Simpler substances combine to form a more complex one. A + B → AB
Define a decomposition reaction.
A complex substance breaks down into simpler ones. AB → A + B
What is a net ionic equation?
An equation that shows only the species that are actively involved in the reaction, omitting spectator ions.
What are spectator ions?
Ions that do not participate in a chemical reaction and are not included in the net ionic equation.
Define Stoichiometry.
The math of chemical reactions; quantifies the amounts of reactants and products in a reaction.
What is a limiting reactant?
The reactant that runs out first, limiting the amount of product formed.
Define Oxidation.
Loss of electrons (oxidation number increases).
Define Reduction.
Gain of electrons (oxidation number decreases).
What is a conjugate base?
The species formed when an acid donates a proton.
