What is a Chemical Equation?
A chemical equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction. It uses chemical formulas to depict the reactants and products involved in the reaction. In a typical equation, reactants are written on the left side, while products appear on the right side, separated by an arrow (→) indicating the direction of the reaction.
For example, the combustion of methane can be represented as: CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O Here, methane (CH₄) and oxygen (O₂) are the reactants, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) along with water (H₂O) are the products.
Chemical equations must be balanced, meaning the number of atoms for each element must be the same on both sides of the equation, ensuring that matter is conserved during the reaction. Balancing equations is fundamental to understanding the stoichiometry of reactions, which allows chemists to predict the amounts of reactants needed and products formed.
In summary, chemical equations are crucial for conveying information about reactions in a concise and clear manner, enabling chemists to communicate their findings effectively.