Chem Class- January 6, 2010

Today we learned about balancing equations with C, H and O. The products are always the smae (CO2 and H2O). Here's an example:

C3H8 + O2 -----> CO2 + H2O
C3H8 + 5O2 -----> 3CO2 + 4H2O (balanced)

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We then learned how to put words into a balanced equation. It isn't very hard.

 Let's say aluminum reacts with oxygen to form Aluminum Oxide. You just convert the chemical names into the appropriate symbols (Al + O2 -----> Al2O3) and then balance it. You might come up with 2Al + 1.5 O2----->Al2O3. One and a half of a molecule seems pretty silly though simply multiply everything by 2 (look at the last number: .5) to get:

 4Al + 3O2----->2Al2O3

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We also were given a short of list of acids that we should know:
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
Nitric Acid (HNO3)
Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)
Phosphoric Acid (H3PO4)
Acetic Acid (CH3COOH)

Acetic Acid or Vinegar