Writing correct chemical equations requires that you know how
to predict products of reactions. Even with limited experience,
one can use a few guidelines to accomplish this. Seven frequently
used elements naturally occurring as diatomic molecules: H2.
O2, N2, Cl2, Br2,
I2. This is how they should always be written in
a chemical equation. Ionic species are in aqueous solution,
(aq); States of matter should be included by (s),(l),(g) after
the chemical symbol.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF REACTIONS
SOLUBILITY RULES:
SOLUBLE:
All Nitrates, Acetates, Ammonium and Group I salts
All Chlorides, Bromides, and Iodides, except Silver, Lead & Mercury(I)
All Fluorides except Group II, Lead(II), and Iron(III)
All Sulfates except Calcium, Strontium, Barium, Mercury, Lead(II), and Ag.
INSOLUBLE:
All Carbonates & Phosphates except Group I and Ammonium(NH4+)
All Hydroxides except Group I, Sr, Ba
All Sulfides except Group I,II, and NH4+
All Oxides except Group I
INSOLUBLE means a precipitate forms when equal
volumes of 0.10 M solutions or greater are mixed
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