In my GCE O-Level Chemistry Tuition Classes, i realised that alot of my students are not strong in their fundamentals.
One of these is their inability to state the correct state symbols after writing the Balanced Chemical Equations for a particular reaction.
Note that the last step for balancing a chemical equation is to add the State Symbols.
There are 4 types of State Symbols that can be used, namely:
(s) –> represents a Solid (including Precipitates that are insoluble in water)
(l) –> represents a Liquid (including Molten Compounds)
(g) –> represents a Gas (including Water Vapour & Steam)
(aq) –> represents an Aqueous Solution (i.e. substances that are soluble in water)
Example #1:
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) — > 2NaCl(aq)
Example #2:
Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) — > MgSO4(aq) + H2(g)
Hope you find this useful to you.
PS: Feel free to leave me your comments. I love to hear from you! =)
Related Articles:
- O Levels Chemistry Questions – Mole Calculations / Mole Concepts
- O Level Chemistry – Physical & Chemical Properties of Alkalis
- O Level Chemistry: Assigning State Symbols in Chemical Equations (Exercise)
- O-Level Chemistry: 5 Rules to Assign Oxidation States (Redox Reactions)
- O Level Chemistry: Metals / Gases Question
Thank you so much. I hope i could understand the state symbol of every reaction. Here you have mentioned some examples with state symbols but you didn’t explained why. To be more specific in one of your examples you said that when Sodium, Na (s) reacts with Chlorine (g), Cl, you will get NaCl in (Aq).
My first question is how do we know that we are using Sodium that is Solid and Chlorine that is Gas and get an Aq solution? In Sodium, i know it is tends to be solid and Chlorine is gas but there are other elements that can be both Solid and gas, so in that particular condition, how do you know that you are using a Solid, gas or Aq solution?
I know you’re helping us and i am highly appreciated. Please try to help me understand a general way to understand which state a symbol is.
Thanks in Advance.
you can add that where we can enter aq,l,s,g
It was useful but some more details can make it more helpful!!
Thanks for the comments Juni.
We are working to make this chemistry blogsite a better experience for all Chemistry (Basic Level) students.
At the point of writing, we have make several improvements to support the students.
However, we believe this website should be a platform for students to exchange ideas and find their interest in Chemistry, rather than one that is one-way.
Participation is the key to Success.
For mole calculation questions, you can search by topic to find blogposts discussions that are related to Mole.
All the Best! Keep Learning.
is useful but there are still space for improvement. for example like putting up qns for others to try or some video, for those who has problem understanding the notes that is given, on how to work out some mole qns.