When balancing equations what do the paranthesies mean?
Here's an example (the equation I know is unbalanced)
CaO(s) + H2O(1) -> Ca(OH)2(aq)
the 2's are subscripts by the way.
2006-12-10 06:40:52 · 8 answers · asked by mortifiedpengn 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The parentheses tell you what form the molecules are in (l=liquid, s=solid, aq=aqueous). The equation is actally currently balanced.
2006-12-10 06:44:40 · answer #1 · answered by Peeps 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not sure which parentheses are confusing you.
(s) means you have a solid
(1) is really (l) where the "l" is the letter L for liquid
(aq) stands for "aqueous" meaning it is dissolved in water
(OH)2 means everything inside the parenthesis is multiplied by 2.
In Ca(OH)2 you have 1 calcium, 2 oxygen, 2 hydrogen.
Your equation is NOT unbalanced, by the way. You have 1 Ca on each side, 2 H's on each side and 2 O's on each side (add the 1 oxygen from the CaO to the 1 oxygen from the H20 = 2 oxygen TOTAL on the reactant side)
2006-12-10 14:49:05 · answer #2 · answered by The Old Professor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ca(OH)2 means that there are 2 OH groups attached to the Ca
on the left
1Ca
2O
2H
on the right
1Ca
2O
2H
it's balanced
other examples
H2SO4 vs Mg(SO4)2
the 1st is obvious 2H, 1S and 4O
in Mg(SO4)2, this means there are 2 SO4 groups attached 1Mg, 2S and 8O
Fe(OH)3 1Fe, 3O & 3H
Note that when the compound forms ions and they are grouped in (), it means those groups stay together in solution so placing Mg(SO4)2 in water breaks up inot
Mg^+2 and 2 SO4^-2 ions.
2 SO4^-2 DOES NOT break into S^-1, and 4O^-2
2006-12-10 14:50:13 · answer #3 · answered by rm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The parentheses mean you keep those elements grouped together and the subscript means there's two oxygens and hydrogens, but you still need the same number of atoms on both sides. And the equation is balanced. You have one calcium on each side, two oxygens on each side and two hydrogens on each side.
2006-12-10 14:45:41 · answer #4 · answered by Jordan H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CaO(im guessing solid)+ 1 water molecule+Ca(OH)(2 of them)(aquias.)
2006-12-10 14:44:43 · answer #5 · answered by roman_ninja 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the parenthesis mean the state of the substance, or it is a polyatomic ion, the (OH) taken twice in the equation is hydroxide, the (aq) means that the substance is in a water solution after the reaction.
2006-12-10 14:44:23 · answer #6 · answered by ccmfreak101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is already balanced
2006-12-10 14:44:57 · answer #7 · answered by abcde12345 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's already balanced!!
2006-12-10 15:06:49 · answer #8 · answered by smart-crazy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋