Question

What three types of information does a balanced chemical equation provide? How?

Short answer

1). Identification of reactants and products

Examples: Magnesium, oxygen, magnesium oxide.

2). Physical states of reactants and products.

Examples: (s) solid, (g) gas, (l) liquid, and (aq) solution.

3). Mole ratios of reactants and products.

2 moles Mg to 1 mole${\mathit{O}}_{\mathbf{2}}$ to 2 moles MgO.

Step-by-step solution

Determine the Physical state

Consider the reaction of magnesium with oxygen gas.

$\mathbf{2}\mathbf{Mg}\left(s\right)\mathbf{+}{\mathbf{O}}_{\mathbf{2}}\left(g\right)\mathbf{\to }\mathbf{2}\mathbf{MgO}\left(s\right)$

Here Mg and ${\mathit{O}}_{\mathbf{2}}$are reactants, MgO is the product and the arrow indicates the direction of the reaction proceed.

Whereas (s) indicates solid, (g) is gas. Also, 2Mg indicates 2 moles of Mg, and 2MgO is referred to as 2 moles of MgO.

Determine the information provide by the balanced chemical equation

1). Identification of reactants and products

Example. Magnesium, oxygen, magnesium oxide.

2). Physical states of reactants and products.

Example. (s) solid, (g) gas, (l) liquid, and (aq) solution.

3). Mole ratios of reactants and products.

2 moles Mg to 1 mole ${\mathit{O}}_{\mathbf{2}}$ to 2 moles MgO.