Page 2: Chemical Equations and Conservation of Mass
This page focuses on understanding chemical equations and reactions, a key topic in C1 chemistry. It explains how to write and balance chemical equations, and introduces the concept of conservation of mass.
Chemical equations are described as representations of reactions, showing reactants and products. The page emphasizes that in chemical reactions, atoms are rearranged rather than created or destroyed.
Example: The formation of water is shown as a chemical equation:
H₂ + O₂ → H₂O
The importance of using symbol equations is highlighted, as they help visualize the quantities of substances involved in a reaction.
Highlight: Balanced equations are crucial because they reflect the law of conservation of mass.
The page explains that the number of each type of atom must be the same on both sides of the equation for it to be balanced. This principle is linked to the conservation of mass, stating that the total mass of the products equals the total mass of the reactants in a chemical reaction.
Vocabulary: State symbols are introduced to provide additional information in chemical equations:
- (s) for solid
- (l) for liquid
- (g) for gas
- (aq) for aqueous (dissolved in water)
An example of a balanced equation with state symbols is provided:
Example: CaCO₃(s) → CaO(s) + CO₂(g)
This page is essential for students preparing for GCSE Chemistry balancing equations and understanding the principles of chemical reactions. It provides a solid foundation for more advanced topics in chemistry and is valuable for both BBC Bitesize GCSE revision and classroom learning.
