Question

Translate each of the following chemical equations into a sentence. a. \(2 \mathrm{ZnS}(s)+3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{ZnO}(s)+2 \mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)\) b. \(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}(s)+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}(a q)+2 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\) c. \(\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}(a q)+\mathrm{KI}(a q) \longrightarrow \mathrm{AgI}(s)+\mathrm{KNO}_{3}(a q)\)

Short answer

a. Two solid zinc sulfides react with three oxygen gases to produce two solid zinc oxides and two sulfur dioxide gases. b. Solid calcium hydride reacts with two liquid waters to produce aqueous calcium hydroxide and two hydrogen gases. c. Aqueous silver nitrate reacts with aqueous potassium iodide to produce solid silver iodide and aqueous potassium nitrate.

Step-by-step solution

Translate Chemical Equation (a)

Identify and interpret each part of the equation: \(2 \mathrm{ZnS}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{ZnO}(s) + 2 \mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)\)This equation means: 'Two solid zinc sulfide (\(\mathrm{ZnS}\)) molecules react with three gaseous oxygen (\(\mathrm{O}_{2}\)) molecules to produce two solid zinc oxide (\(\mathrm{ZnO}\)) molecules and two gaseous sulfur dioxide (\(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\)) molecules.'

Translate Chemical Equation (b)

Identify and interpret each part of the equation: \(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}(s)+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Ca} (\mathrm{OH})_{2}(aq) + 2 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\)This equation means: 'Solid calcium hydride (\(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}\)) reacts with two liquid water (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)) molecules to produce aqueous calcium hydroxide (\(\mathrm{Ca(OH)}_{2}\)) and two molecules of hydrogen gas (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\)).'

Translate Chemical Equation (c)

Identify and interpret each part of the equation: \(\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}(aq) + \mathrm{KI}(aq) \longrightarrow \mathrm{AgI}(s) + \mathrm{KNO}_{3}(aq)\)This equation means: 'Aqueous silver nitrate (\(\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}\)) reacts with aqueous potassium iodide (\(\mathrm{KI}\)) to produce solid silver iodide (\(\mathrm{AgI}\)) and aqueous potassium nitrate (\(\mathrm{KNO}_{3}\)).'

Key concepts

headline of the respective core concept

Chemical reactions are processes in which substances, known as reactants, transform into new substances, called products. As we observe in chemical equations, these transformations are represented symbolically. For example, in equation (a): \(2 \mathrm{ZnS}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{ZnO}(s) + 2 \mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)\),
We see zinc sulfide and oxygen as reactants, converting to zinc oxide and sulfur dioxide as products.

Understanding chemical reactions is crucial because they explain how new products form and old substances change. When studying chemical reactions:

• Always identify reactants (starting materials) and products (resulting substances).
• Pay attention to coefficients, which show the number of molecules involved.
• Note the states of matter for each substance (solid, liquid, gas, aqueous).

headline of the respective core concept

Balancing chemical equations ensures the law of conservation of mass is obeyed. This law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Each side of the equation must have the same number of atoms for each element. In our examples:

• Equation (a): \(2 \mathrm{ZnS}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{ZnO}(s) + 2 \mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)\), ensures 2 zinc, 2 sulfur, and 6 oxygen atoms on both sides.
• Equation (b): \(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}(s) + 2 \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}(l) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca(OH)}_{2}(aq) + 2 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\), balances 1 calcium, 4 hydrogen, and 2 oxygen atoms.
• Equation (c): \(\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}(aq) + \mathrm{KI}(aq) \rightarrow \mathrm{AgI}(s) + \mathrm{KNO}_{3}(aq)\), balances 1 silver, 1 nitrogen, 1 iodine, and 3 oxygen atoms.

To balance an equation:

• Start with complex molecules first.
• Balance one element at a time.
• Adjust coefficients to balance the atoms, not subscripts.

headline of the respective core concept

States of matter in chemistry help us understand how substances exist and interact. Every chemical equation specifies the states of its reactants and products: solid (s), liquid (l), gas (g), and aqueous (aq), which is substances dissolved in water.

In the provided equations, states of matter are indicated in parentheses after each chemical formula:

• Equation (a): \(2 \mathrm{ZnS}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{ZnO}(s) + 2 \mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)\) includes solids and gases.
• Equation (b): \(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}(s) + 2 \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}(l) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca(OH)}_{2}(aq) + 2 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\) involves solids, liquids, an aqueous solution, and gas.
• Equation (c): \(\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}(aq) + \mathrm{KI}(aq) \rightarrow \mathrm{AgI}(s) + \mathrm{KNO}_{3}(aq)\) includes aqueous solutions and a solid.

Understanding these states:

• Helps predict behavior and outcomes of reactions.
• Provides clues about reaction environment and conditions.
• Is crucial for laboratory and industrial applications.