Today we continued learning about ways you can balance an equation more easily. Mr. S showed us that in an equation like this: Al2(SO4)3 + Ca(OH)2 à Al(OH)3 + CaSO4 and can keep the polyatomic atoms ((SO4) and (OH)) together instead of separating them so you can more easily balance the whole equation. In the end you get Al2(SO4)3 + 3 Ca(OH)2 à 2 Al(OH)3 + 3 CaSO4. This really helped to balance problems with polyatomic ions more easy. Mr. S also brought attention to us that the total atoms on the reactant side has to equal the total atoms on the product side. He use the example Li2O +H2O à LiOH. As you can see there are 6 atoms on the left and 3 on the right so you have to think about what number would make those even which is 2. So the end result is Li2O + H2O à 2LiOH. After practicing this enough it becomes easier to do. We ended with Mr. S giving us a worksheet and giving us the level of difficulty he felt the problem was. Helpful link:http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/how-to-balance-chemical-equation.html Thoughtful Question: Why is balancing equations important for chemist?
Today we continued learning about ways you can balance an equation more easily. Mr. S showed us that in an equation like this: Al2(SO4)3 + Ca(OH)2 à Al(OH)3 + CaSO4 and can keep the polyatomic atoms ((SO4) and (OH)) together instead of separating them so you can more easily balance the whole equation. In the end you get Al2(SO4)3 + 3 Ca(OH)2 à 2 Al(OH)3 + 3 CaSO4. This really helped to balance problems with polyatomic ions more easy.
Mr. S also brought attention to us that the total atoms on the reactant side has to equal the total atoms on the product side. He use the example Li2O +H2O à LiOH. As you can see there are 6 atoms on the left and 3 on the right so you have to think about what number would make those even which is 2. So the end result is Li2O + H2O à 2LiOH. After practicing this enough it becomes easier to do. We ended with Mr. S giving us a worksheet and giving us the level of difficulty he felt the problem was.
Helpful link:http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/how-to-balance-chemical-equation.html
Thoughtful Question: Why is balancing equations important for chemist?