Building a model to explain chemical equations Equipment: Nuts and bolts, a cup. z z
zz
Put some nuts and bolts in the cup. Count the number of each present and record in the table.
Now imagine that the nuts and bolts react with each other. The product that you are to make consists of two nuts on each bolt. Your goal is to make as many of the product as possible.
3 Copy and complete the following table. Item
How many?
a. Nuts b. Bolts c. Nut/bolt product d. Nuts left over e. Bolts left over
z
Fig. 14.6.1
4 Write out a word equation (use your own words for the reactant and product) for this reaction.
5 Using N as the symbol for the nuts and B as the symbol for the bolts, write out a chemical equation for this reaction.
6 If you were given 14 nuts, how many bolts would you need to make the maximum quantity of product? How much product would you make?
7 If you produced 23 products, how many nuts and bolts did you start with?
When balancing an equation, it is important to ensure that you have the same number and type of atoms before and after the reaction has taken place. This is because matter cannot be created or destroyed.
A balanced equation has the same type and the same number of each atom on the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the arrow.
8 Write a word equation for the reaction in question 5. Then write a balanced chemical equation for the same reaction.
Balancing chemical equations Balance the chemical equation for each of the following reactions.
