Decoding Chemical Formulas

This lesson focuses on understanding chemical formulas and the importance of subscripts and coefficients. It begins with a review of the distributed property from math, which is applied to chemical equations. The lesson explains how subscripts indicate the number of atoms in a molecule, while coefficients are used to balance chemical equations. Examples include water (H2O), acetic acid, and nitric acid. The lesson concludes with a demonstration of balancing chemical equations by calculating the total number of particles in reactants and products.

What is the main objective of this lesson?

• To understand chemical formulas

• To learn about physical changes

• To study biological processes

• To explore astronomical phenomena

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

What mathematical property is reviewed in this lesson?

• Associative Property

• Identity Property

• Distributive Property

• Commutative Property

In the distributive property example, what is the result of 2 times (4 + 3)?

• 12

• 16

• 10

• 14

What does a subscript in a chemical formula indicate?

• The type of chemical bond

• The number of particles of the element before it

• The temperature at which the reaction occurs

• The speed of the reaction

In H2O, how many hydrogen atoms are there?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

What is the coefficient in a chemical formula used for?

• To represent the temperature

• To denote the speed of the reaction

• To show the number of molecules

• To indicate the type of reaction

In the formula for acetic acid (vinegar), what is the subscript for hydrogen?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 2

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

How many oxygen atoms are there in nitric acid when the coefficient is 4?

• 16

• 4

• 8

• 12

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

What is the total number of hydrogen atoms in the reactants when balancing the equation for propane and water?

• 16

• 18

• 20

• 22

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

What are the final products in terms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen when balancing the equation for propane and water?

• 6 carbon, 20 hydrogen, 3 oxygen

• 6 carbon, 22 hydrogen, 3 oxygen

• 8 carbon, 22 hydrogen, 4 oxygen

• 6 carbon, 18 hydrogen, 2 oxygen

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-5