CHEMISRTY FORM 2

Topic 1: ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND THE

PERIODIC TABLE

MUDASA ACADEMY

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Contents
ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND THE PERIODIC TABLE.......................................................................................... 3
A.ATOMIC STRUCTURE ......................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Isotopes .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
2. The Relative Atomic Mass (RAM) ..................................................................................................................... 5
3. Electronic configuration ..................................................................................................................................... 6
B.PERIODIC TABLE...................................................................................................................................................... 8
i) Periods and Groups of the periodic table: ........................................................................................................... 8
ii) Stability of atoms .................................................................................................................................................. 9
ii) Ion formation: ................................................................................................................................................... 9
iii) Oxidation state ............................................................................................................................................. 11
iv) Chemical formulae ..................................................................................................................................... 13
V) Chemical equations .............................................................................................................................................. 17

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ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND THE PERIODIC TABLE
A.ATOMIC STRUCTURE
The atom – is the smallest particle of an element that take part in a chemical reaction.
The atom is made up of three subatomic particles:
(i)Protons
(ii)Electrons
(iii)Neutrons

(i) Protons
1. Positively charged (+)
2. Found in the centre of an atom called nucleus
3. It has a relative mass 1
4. The number of protons in a atom of an element is its Atomic number (Z)

(ii) Electrons
1. Negatively charged (-)
2. Found in fixed regions surrounding the centre of an atom called energy levels (Shells)
3. It has a relative mass 1/1840
4. The number of protons and electrons in a atom of an element is always equal, hence atoms are said to be
electrically neutral

(iii) Neutrons
1. Has no charge, thus neutral.
2. Also found in the nucleus
3. Has a relative mass 1
4. The total of protons and neutrons in a atom of an element is its Mass number (A)

Diagram showing the relative positions of protons ,electrons and neutrons in an atom of an
element

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 Diagram showing the relative positions of protons, electrons and neutrons in an atom of Carbon

The table below show atomic structure of the 1st twenty elements.

Element Symbol Protons Electrons Neutrons Atomic Number Mass Number

Hydrogen H 1 1 0 1 1
Helium He 2 2 2 2 4
Lithium Li 3 3 4 3 7
Beryllium Be 4 4 5 4 9
Boron B 5 5 6 5 11
Carbon C 6 6 6 6 12
Nitrogen N 7 7 7 7 14
Oxygen O 8 8 8 8 16
Fluorine F 9 9 10 9 19
Neon Ne 10 10 10 10 20
Sodium Na 11 11 12 11 23
Magnesium Mg 12 12 12 12 24
Aluminium Al 13 13 14 13 27
Silicon Si 14 14 14 14 28
Phosphorus P 15 15 16 15 31
Sulphur S 16 16 16 16 32
Chlorine Cl 17 17 18 17 35
Argon Ar 18 18 22 18 40
Potassium K 19 19 20 19 39
Calcium Ca 20 20 20 20 40

1. Isotopes
 Isotopes - are atoms of the same element, having the same number of atomic number but different
mass number.
 Isotopes are written with the mass number as superscript and the atomic number as subscript to the
left of the chemical symbol of the element. i.e.

m Where m= Mass number

X=Symbol of element
n n = Atomic number
Examples;

4
1 4 7 9 11 12
1H 2He 3Li 4Be B C
5 6
14 16 19 20 23 24
7N 8O F9 Ne
10 Na
11 Mg
12
27 28 31 32 35 40
13 Al 14 Si 15 P 16 S 17 Cl 18 Ar
39 40
19 K 20 Ca

The table below shows some common natural isotopes of some elements
Element Isotopes Protons Electrons Neutrons Atomic Mass
number number
1
Hydrogen 2
1H 1 1 0 1 1
1H(deuterium) 1 1 2 1 2
3
1H(Tritium) 1 1 3 1 3
35
Chlorine 17Cl 17 17 18 17 35
37
17Cl 17 17 20 17 37
39
Potassium 19K 19 19 20 19 39
40
19K 19 19 21 19 40
41
19K 19 19 22 19 41
16
Oxygen 8O 8 8 8 8 16
18
8O 8 8 10 8 18
235
Uranium 92 U 92 92 143 92 235
238
92 U 92 92 146 92 238
22
Neon 10Ne 10 10 12 10 22
20
10Ne 10 10 10 10 20
21
10Ne 10 10 11 10 21

2. The Relative Atomic Mass (RAM)

Is the mass of average atom of an element compared to 1/12 an atom of 12C isotope whose mass is
arbitrarily fixed as 12.000 atomic mass units (a.m.u) i.e;

RAM = mass of atom of an element

1
/12 of one atom of 12C isotope

Accurate relative atomic masses (RAM) are got from the mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometer
determines the isotopes of the element and their relative abundance/availability.

Calculation of the RAM

Using the relative abundances/availability of the isotopes, the RAM can be determined /calculated as in
the below examples.
a) Chlorine occurs as 75% 3517Cl and 25% 3717Cl isotopes. Calculate the relative atomic mass of
Chlorine.

Working
RAM of chlorine = ( 75/100 x 35) + ( 25/100 x 37) = 35.5
NB:
Relative atomic mass has no units. More atoms of chlorine exist as 35Cl (75%) than as 37
Cl (25%)
17 17
therefore RAM is nearer to the more abundant isotope.

b) Calculate the relative atomic mass of potassium given that it exist as;

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 93.1% 39 19 K , 0.01% 4019K , 6.89% 41 19K ,
RAM of potassium = (93.1/100 x39) + (0.01/100 x 40) +(6.89 /100 x 41)
=
c) Calculate the relative atomic mass of Neon given that it exists as: 90.92% 2010Ne; 0.26% 2110Ne and 8.82% 2210Ne
isotopes

RAM of Neon = (90.92/100 x20) + (0.26/100 x 21) +(8.82 /100 x 22)

= 10

NB:
1. The relative atomic mass is a measure of the masses of atoms. The higher the relative atomic mass,
the heavier the atom.
2. The RAM has no units
3. The value of the RAM as per the above calculations is always nearer to the most abundant isotope.

3. Electronic configuration

Electron configuration /structure -Is the arrangement of electrons in an atom.

• Electrons are found in energy levels/Shells

• An energy level is a fixed region around/surrounding the nucleus of an atom occupied by electrons
of the same (potential) energy.
• By convention energy levels are named 1,2,3… outwards from the region nearest to nucleus.

Each energy level is occupied by a fixed number of electrons:

The 1st energy - maximum of two electrons
The 2nd energy level - maximum of eight electrons
The 3rd energy level - a maximum of eight electrons
The 4th energy level - a maximum of eight electrons

i. Drawing of electronic configuration

By convention the electron configuration / structure of an atom of an element can be shown in form of a
diagram using either cross(x) or dot (●) to

Practice examples drawing electronic configurations

a) 11H has - in nucleus1proton and 0 neutrons

- 1 electron in the 1st energy levels thus:
Electronic structure of Hydrogen is thus: H=1:

Drawing

b) 42He has - in nucleus 2 proton and 2 neutrons

- 2 electron in the 1st energy levels thus:
Electronic structure of Helium is thus: He=2:

Drawing:

c) 73Li has - in nucleus 3 proton and 4 neutrons

- 2 electron in the 1st energy levels
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 -1 electron in the 2nd energy levels thus
Electronic structure of Lithium is thus: Li=2:1
Drawing:

d)19 9F has - in nucleus 9 proton and 10 neutrons

- 2 electron in the 1st energy levels
-7 electron in the 2nd energy levels thus
Electronic structure of Fluorine is thus: 2:7

Drawing:

20
i) 10Ne has - in nucleus 10 proton and 10 neutrons
- 2 electron in the 1st energy levels
-8 electron in the 2nd energy levels thus
Electronic structure of Neon is thus: 2:8

Drawing:
23
j) 11 Na has - in nucleus 11 proton and 12 neutrons
- 2 electron in the 1st energy levels
-8 electron in the 2nd energy levels
-1 electron in the 3rd energy levels thus
Electronic structure of Sodium is thus: 2:8:1
Drawing:

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k) 19K has - in nucleus 19 proton and 20 neutrons
-2 electron in the 1st energy levels
-8 electron in the 2nd energy levels
-8 electron in the 3rd energy levels
-1 electron in the 4th energy levels thus
Electronic structure of Potassium is thus: 2:8:8:1
Drawing:
40
l) 20Ca has - in nucleus 20 proton and 20 neutrons
a. 2 electron in the 1st energy levels
-8 electron in the 2nd energy levels
-8 electron in the 3rd energy levels
-2 electron in the 4th energy levels thus
Electronic structure of Calcium is thus: 2:8:8:2

Drawing

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 B.PERIODIC TABLE

 A Periodic table is a horizontal and vertical arrangement of elements according to their atomic
numbers.
 It is made up of rows (Periods) and Columns (Groups).
 There are over 100 elements so far discovered, consisting of metals, non-metals and metalloids (has
both metallic and non-metallic properties)

i) Periods and Groups of the periodic table:

Periods- Are the horizontal arrangement.
 Elements in the same period have the same number of energy levels in their electronic structure. i.e.
The number of energy levels in the electronic configuration of an element determine the period to
which the element is in the periodic table.
e.g.
Which period of the periodic table are the following isotopes/elements/atoms?
a) 12 C6
Electron structure 2:4 => 2 energy levels used thus Period 2
23
b) 11 Na
Electron structure 2:8:1 => 3 energy levels used thus Period 3

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c) 19 K
Electron structure 2:8:8:1 => 4 energy levels used thus Period 4
1
d) 1H
Electron structure 1: => 1 energy level used thus Period 1

Groups:- Are the vertical arrangement of elements.

 Atoms in the same have the same the same group have the same number of outer energy level electrons
as per their electronic structure. i.e. The number of electrons in the outer energy level an element
determine the group to which the element is ,in the periodic table.
Examples:
12
a) 6 C
Electron structure 2:4 => 4 electrons in outer energy level thus Group IV
23
b) 11Na
Electron structure 2:8:1 => 1 electron in outer energy level thus Group I

39
c) 19 K
Electron structure 2:8:8:1=>1 electron in outer energy level thus Group I
1
d) 1H
Electron structure 1: => 1 electron in outer energy level thus Group I

NB:
(i) Periods are named using English numerals 1,2,3,4,…
(ii) Groups are named using Roman numerals I,II,III,IV,…
(iii) There are eight groups in a standard periodic table.
(iv) There are seven periods in a standard periodic table.

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 THE STANDARD PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS

ii) Stability of atoms

 When an atom has maximum number of electrons in its outer energy level, it is said to be stable.
 When an atom has no maximum number of electrons in its outer energy level, it is said to be
unstable.
 All stable atoms are in group 8 of the periodic table. All other elements are unstable.
 All unstable atoms/isotopes try to be stable through chemical reactions. A chemical reaction
involves gaining or losing outer electrons (electron transfer)
 Generally, metals react by gaining electrons, while non-metals (Except hydrogen) react by losing
electrons to become stable.
 When electron transfer takes place, an ion is formed.

ii) Ion formation:

 An ion is a charged atom.
 It is formed when an unstable atom gain or donate electrons in its outer energy level inorder to be
stable.
 Whether an atom gain or donate electrons depend on the relative energy required to donate or gain
extra electrons. Generally, elements in groups I-III (metals and also Hydrogen) react by losing,
while groups V-VII (Non-metals) react by gaining.
 Elements in group IV can either gain or lose depending on the element they are reacting with.
 Elements in group VIII neither gain nor lose as they are already stable (Their outer most energy
level is already filled with the maximum number of electrons it can hold ie either duplet/octet)

Examples
1. 199 F has electronic structure/configuration 2:7. Fluorine reacts by gaining one extra electrons to be 2:8
2. 2313 Al has electronic structure/configuration 2:8:3. It reacts by donating its three outer electrons to be
2:8

NB:
a. When elements donates /lose the outer electrons to be stable they form a positively charged ion
called cation. This is denoted by a positive charge since the formed cation has more protons
(positive charge) than electrons (negative charge)
b. When elements gain /acquire extra electrons in the outer energy level to be stable they form a

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 negatively charged ion called anion. Anion is denoted by a negative charge since there is less
protons (positive charge) than electrons (negative charge).
c. The charge carried by an ion is equal to the number of electrons gained/acquired or donated/lost.

Writing the configuration of ions:

Examples with metals

Sodium atom Sodium ion

-
Na = 2:8:1 loses 1 electron (e ) Na+ = 2:8

Magnesium atom Magnesium ion

Mg = 2:8:2 loses 2 electrons (2e- ) Mg2+ = 2:8

Aluminum atom Aluminum ion

Al = 2:8:3 loses 3 electrons (3e- ) Al3+ = 2:8

Example with Hydrogen

Hydrogen atom Hydrogen ion
H=1 H+ = 0

Examples with non-metals

Fluorine atom Fluorine ion

F = 2:7 gains 1 electron (e-) F- = 2:8

Oxygen atom Oxygen on

O = 2:6 gains 2 electrons (2e- ) O2- = 2:8

Phosphorus atom Phosphorus ion

P = 2:8:5 loses 3 electrons (3e- ) P3- = 2:8

Drawing of ionic configuration

Draw all the above examples

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Writing ion formation inform of equations

Hydrogen and metals

1.11H

H -------> H+ + e-
(atom) (monovalent cation) (electrons donated/lost)
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2. 13 Al
Al -> Al3+ + 3e-
(atom) (trivalent cation) (3 electrons lost)

3. 2311 Na
Na -> Na+ + e-
(atom) (cation) (1 electrons lost)
4. 2412Mg
Mg -> Mg2+ + 2e-
(atom) (cation) ( 2 electrons lost)

Non-
Metals
5. 168O
O + 2e- -> O2-
(atom) (2 electrons gained) (anion)
2:6 2:8
7. 3115P
P + 3e- -> P3-
(atom) (3 electrons gained/acquired) (anion)

8. 199F
F + e- -> F-
(atom) (1 electrons gained/acquired) (anion)

iii) Oxidation state

 When an element donate/loses its outer electrons ,the process is called oxidation. When an element
acquires/gains extra electrons in its outer energy level, the process is called reduction.
 The charge carried by an atom, cation or anion is its oxidation state.

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Table showing the oxidation states of some isotopes
Element Symbol of element / isotopes Charge of ion Oxidation state
1
Hydrogen 1H H+ +1
2
1H(deuterium) H+ +1
3
1H(Tritium) H+ +1
35
Chlorine 17Cl Cl- -1
37
17Cl Cl- -1

39
Potassium 19K K+ +1
40
19K K+ +1
41
19K K+ +1
16
Oxygen 8O O2- -2
18
8O O2- -2
24
Magnesium 12Mg Mg2+ +2
23
sodium 11Na Na+ +1

Copper Cu Cu+ +1
Cu2+ +2
Iron Fe2+ +2
Fe3+ +3
Lead Pb2+ +2
Pb4+ +4
Manganese Mn2+ +2
Mn7+ +7
Chromium Cr3+ +3
Cr6+ +6
Sulphur S4+ +4
S6+ +6
Carbon C2+ +2
C4+ +4

Note :
Some elements can exist in more than one oxidation state. They are said to have variable oxidation state.
Roman capital numeral is used to indicate the oxidation state of an element with a variable oxidation state
in a compound.

Examples:
(i) Copper (I) means Cu+ as in Copper(I)oxide
(ii) Copper (II) means Cu2+ as in Copper(II)oxide
(iii) Iron (II) means Fe2+ as in Iron(II)sulphide
(iv) Iron (III) means Fe3+ as in Iron(III)chloride
(iv) Sulphur(VI)mean S6+ as in sulphur(VI)oxide
(v) Sulphur(IV)mean S4+ as in sulphur(IV)oxide
(ix) Carbon(IV)mean C4+ as in carbon(IV)oxide
(x) Carbon(II)mean C2+ as in carbon(II)oxide
(xi) Manganese(IV)mean Mn4+ as in Manganese(IV)oxide

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 iv) Chemical formulae
 chemical formulae – Is the ratio of the atoms making a compound (a compound is a
combination of two or more elements in fixed proportions).
 Elements combine together to form a compound depending on their combining power.
 The combining power of atoms in an element is called Valency.
 Valency of an element is equal to the number of:
➢ electrons gained or lost in outer energy to be stable/attain duplet/octet.
➢ charges carried by ions (cations/ions)
➢ charges of Radicals (Group of atoms that react as a unit during chemical reactions).
NB: Elements with variable oxidation state also have more than one valency.

Table showing the valency of common radicals.

Radical name Chemical formulae Combining power / Valency
+
Ammonium NH4 1
Hydroxide OH- 1
-
Nitrate NO3 1
Hydrogen carbonate HCO3- 1
Hydrogen sulphate HSO4- 1
-
Hydrogen sulphite HSO3 1
Manganate(VII) MnO4- 1
2-
Chromate(VI) CrO4 2
Dichromate(VI) Cr2O72- 2
2-
Sulphate SO4 2
Sulphit SO32- 2
2-
Carbonate CO3 2
Phosphate PO42- 3

Table showing the valency of some common metal and non metals
Metals Valency Non metal Valency

Hydrogen 1 Florine 1
Lithium 1 Chlorine 1
Beryllium 2 Bromine 1
Boron 3 Iodine 1
Sodium 1 Carbon 4
Magnesium 2 Nitrogen 3
Aluminium 3 Oxygen 2
Potassium 1 Phosphorus 3
Calcium 2
Zinc 2
Barium 2
Mercury 2
Iron 2 and 3
Copper 1 and 2
Manganese 2 and 4
Lead 2 and 4

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From the valency of elements, the chemical formular of a compound can be derived using the following
procedure:
(i) Identify the elements and radicals making the compound
(ii) Write the symbol/formular of the elements or radicals making the compound starting with the
metallic element
(iii) Assign the valency of each element /radical as superscript.
(iv) Interchange/exchange the valencies of each element as subscript.
(v) Divide by the smallest/lowest valency to derive the smallest whole number ratios
Ignore a valency of 1.

Practice examples
Write the chemical formula of
(a)Aluminium oxide

Elements making compound Aluminium Oxygen

Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Al O
Assign valencies as superscript Al3 O2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Al2 O3
Divide by smallest valency to get whole number - -

Chemical formula of Aluminium oxide is thus: Al2 O3

This means:2atoms of Aluminium combine with 3 atoms of Oxygen

(b)Sodium oxide

Elements making compound Sodium Oxygen

Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Na O
Assign valencies as superscript Na1 O2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Na2 O1
Divide by smallest valency to get whole number - -

Chemical formula of Sodium oxide is thus: Na2 O

This means:2atoms of Sodium combine with 1 atom of Oxygen
(c)Calcium oxide
Elements making compound Calcium Oxygen
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Ca O
Assign valencies as superscript Ca2 O2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Ca2 O2
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio Ca1 O1

Chemical formula of Calcium oxide is thus: CaO

This means:1 atom of calcium combine with 1 atom of Oxygen.

(d) Lead(IV)oxide
Elements making compound Lead Oxygen
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Pb O
Assign valencies as superscript Pb4 O2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Pb2 O4
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Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio Pb1 O2

Chemical formula of Lead(IV) oxide is thus: PbO2

This means:1 atom of lead combine with 2 atoms of Oxygen.

(e) Lead(II)oxide
Elements making compound Lead Oxygen
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Pb O
Assign valencies as superscript Pb2 O2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Pb2 O2
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio Pb1 O1

Chemical formula of Lead(II) oxide is thus: PbO

This means:1 atom of lead combine with 1 atom of Oxygen.

(e) Iron(III)oxide
Elements making compound Iron Oxygen
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Fe O
Assign valencies as superscript Fe3 O2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Fe2 O3
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio - -

Chemical formula of Iron(III) oxide is thus: Fe2O3

This means:2 atom of lead combine with 3 atom of Oxygen.

(f) Iron(II)sulphate
Elements making compound Iron sulphate
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Fe SO4
Assign valencies as superscript Fe2 SO4 2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Fe2 SO4 2
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio Fe1 SO4 1

Chemical formula of Iron(II) sulphate(VI) is thus: FeSO4

This means:1 atom of Iron combine with 1 sulphate radical.

(g) Copper(II)sulphate
Elements making compound Copper sulphate
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Cu SO4
Assign valencies as superscript Cu2 SO4 2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Cu2 SO4 2
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio Cu1 SO4 1

Chemical formula of Cu(II)sulphate(VI) is thus: CuSO4

This means:1 atom of Copper combine with 1 sulphate radical.

(h) Aluminium sulphate

Elements making compound Aluminium sulphate
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Al SO4
15
Assign valencies as superscript Al3 SO4 2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Al2 SO4 3
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio - -

Chemical formula of Aluminium sulphate is thus: Al2(SO4)3

This means:2 atom of Aluminium combine with 3 sulphate radical.

(i) Aluminium nitrate(V)

Elements making compound Aluminium nitrate
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Al NO3
Assign valencies as superscript Al3 NO3 1
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Al1 NO3 3
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio - -
Chemical formula of Aluminium sulphate(VI) is thus: Al (NO3)3
This means:1 atom of Aluminium combine with 3 nitrate radical.
(j)Potassium manganate(VII)
Elements making compound Potassium manganate(VII)
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound K MnO4
Assign valencies as superscript K1 MnO4 1
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript K1 MnO4 1
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio - -

Chemical formula of Potassium manganate(VII) is thus: KMnO4

This means:1 atom of Potassium combine with 4 manganate(VII) radical.

(k)Sodium dichromate(VI)
Elements making compound Sodium dichromate(VI)
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Na Cr2O7
Assign valencies as superscript Na 1 Cr2O7 2
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Na2 Cr2O7 1
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio - -

Chemical formula of Sodium dichromate(VI) is thus: Na2 Cr2O7

This means:2 atom of Sodium combine with 1 dichromate(VI) radical.

(l)Calcium hydrogen carbonate

Elements making compound Calcium Hydrogen
carbonate
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Ca CO3
Assign valencies as superscript Ca 2 HCO3 1
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Ca1 HCO3 2
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio - -

Chemical formula of Calcium hydrogen carbonate is thus: Ca(HCO3)2

This means:1 atom of Calcium combine with 2 hydrogen carbonate
radical.

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 (l)Magnesium hydrogen sulphate
Elements making compound Magnesium Hydrogen
sulphate(VI)
Symbol of elements/radicals in compound Mg HSO4
Assign valencies as superscript Mg 2 HSO4 1
Exchange/Interchange the valencies as subscript Mg1 HSO4 2
Divide by two to get smallest whole number ratio - -

Chemical formula of Magnesium hydrogen sulphate is thus: Mg(HSO4)2 This means:1 atom of Magnesium
combine with 2 hydrogen sulphate radical.

V) Chemical equations
➢ chemical equation is a statement showing the movement of reactants to form products when elements
and compounds react.
➢ A chemical reaction is formed when atoms of the reactants break free to bond again and form products.
➢ The following procedure is used in writing a chemical equation:

1. Write the word equation

2. Write the correct chemical formula for each of the reactants and products
3. Check if the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of each
element on the product side.
4. Multiply the chemical formula containing the unbalanced atoms with the lowest common multiple if the
number of atoms on one side is not equal. This is called balancing.
Do not change the chemical formula of the products/reactants.
5. Assign in brackets, the physical state/state symbols of the reactants and products after each chemical formula
as:
(i) (s) for solids
(ii) (l) for liquids
(iii) (g) for gas
(iv) (aq) for aqueous/dissolved in water to make a solution.

Practice examples
Write a balanced chemical equation for the following
(a) Zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form Zinc Chloride and Hydrogen gas

Procedure

1. Write the word equation

Zinc + Hydrochloric acid -> Zinc chloride + hydrogen gas

2. Write the correct chemical formula for each of the reactants and products
Zn + HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2

3. Check if the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of each
element on the product side.
Number of atoms of Zn on the reactant side is equal to product side One atom of H in HCl on the
reactant side is not equal to two atoms in H2 on product side.
One atom of Cl in HCl on the reactant side is not equal to two toms in ZnCl2 on product side.

4. Multiply the chemical formula containing the unbalanced atoms with the lowest common multiple if
17
 the number of atoms on one side is not equal.
Multiply HCl by “2” to get “2” Hydrogen and “2” Chlorine on product and reactant side.
Zn + 2 HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2
5. Assign in brackets, the physical state/state symbols .
Zn(s) + 2 HCl(aq) -> ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)

(b) Oxygen gas is prepared from decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide solution to water and oxygen

Procedure

1. Write the word equation

Hydrogen peroxide -> Water + oxygen gas

2. Write the correct chemical formula for each of the reactants and products
H2O2 -> H2O + O2

3. Check if the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of each
element on the product side.
Number of atoms of H on the reactant side is equal to product side Two atom of O in H2O2 on the
reactant side is not equal to three atoms (one in H2O and two in O2) on product side.

4. Multiply the chemical formula containing the unbalanced atoms with the lowest common multiple if
the number of atoms on one side is not equal.
Multiply H2O2 by “2” to get “4” Hydrogen and “4” Oxygen on reactants Multiply H2O by “2” to get
“4” Hydrogen and “2” Oxygen on product side.
When the “2” Oxygen in O2 and the“2” in H2O are added on product side they are equal to the“4”
Oxygen on reactants side.
2H2O2 -> 2H2O + O2

5. Assign in brackets, the physical state/state symbols .

2H2O2(aq) -> 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

(c) Chlorine gas is prepared from Potassium manganate(VII) reacting with hydrochloric acid to form
potassium chloride solution, manganese(II) chloride solution, water and chlorine gas.

Procedure
1. Write the word equation
Potassium manganate(VII) + Hydrochloric acid ->
potassium chloride + manganese(II) chloride + chlorine +water

2. Write the correct chemical formula for each of the reactants and products
KMnO4 + HCl -> KCl + MnCl2 +H2O + Cl2

3. Check if the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of each
element on the product side.
Number of atoms of K and Mn on the reactant side is equal to product side
Two atom of H in H2O on the product side is not equal to one atom on reactant side.
Four atom of O in KMnO4 is not equal to one in H2O.
One atom of Cl in HCl on reactant side is not equal to three (one in H2O and two in Cl2).

4. Multiply the chemical formula containing the unbalanced atoms with the lowest common multiple if
the number of atoms on one side is not equal.
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 Multiply HCl by “16” to get “16” Hydrogen and “16” Chlorine on reactants
Multiply KMnO4 by “2” to get “2” Potassium and “2” manganese, “2 x4 =8” Oxygen on reactant side.
Balance the product side to get:

2 KMnO4 +16 HCl -> 2 KCl + 2 MnCl2 +8 H2O + 5 Cl2

5. Assign in brackets, the physical state/state symbols .

2KMnO4(s) +16 HCl(aq)-> 2 KCl (aq) + 2MnCl2(aq)+8 H2O(l)+5 Cl2(g)

(d) Carbon(IV)oxide gas is prepared from Calcium carbonate reacting with hydrochloric acid to form
calcium chloride solution, water and carbon(IV)oxide gas.

Procedure
1. Write the word equation
Calcium carbonate + Hydrochloric acid ->
calcium chloride solution+ water +carbon(IV)oxide
2. Write the correct chemical formula for each of the reactants and products
CaCO3 + HCl -> CaCl2 +H2O + CO2

3. Check if the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of each
element on the product side.

4. Multiply the chemical formula containing the unbalanced atoms with the lowest common multiple if
the number of atoms on one side is not equal.

5. Assign in brackets, the physical state/state symbols .

CaCO3(s) + 2 HCl(aq) -> CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

(d) Sodium hydroxide solution neutralizes hydrochloric acid to form salt and water.
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) -> NaCl (aq) + H2O(l)

(e) Sodium reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) -> 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

(f) Calcium reacts withwater to form calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas
Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) -> Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)

(g) Copper(II)Oxide solid reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form copper(II)chloride and water.
CuO(s) + 2HCl(aq) -> CuCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

(h) Hydrogen sulphide reacts with Oxygen to form sulphur(IV)Oxide and water.
2H2S(g) + 3O2(g) -> 2SO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

(i) Magnesium reacts with steam to form Magnesium Oxide and Hydrogen gas.
Mg(s) + 2H2O(g) -> MgO(s) + H2(g)

(j) Ethane(C2H6) gas burns in air to form Carbon(IV)Oxide and water.

2C2H6(g) + 7O2(g) -> 4CO2(g) + 6H2O(l)

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