Worksheet for converting word equations into balanced chemical equations with answer key.

You’ve uploaded an image of a worksheet titled “Word Equations to Chemical Equations” with 14 word problems and their corresponding balanced chemical equations in the “Answer Key” column.

Since you asked to “solve the problem and explain the solution,” I’ll walk through how to convert a word equation into a balanced chemical equation, using Problem #1 as a detailed example, then briefly summarize the key principles for the rest.

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## 🔍 EXAMPLE: Problem #1

> Word Equation:
> Silver nitrate reacts with sodium chloride to produce silver chloride and sodium nitrate.

✔ Step 1: Write the correct chemical formulas for each compound.

- Silver nitrate → AgNO₃
(Ag⁺ and NO₃⁻ combine in 1:1 ratio)

- Sodium chloride → NaCl
(Na⁺ and Cl⁻ combine in 1:1 ratio)

- Silver chloride → AgCl
(Ag⁺ and Cl⁻ form insoluble precipitate)

- Sodium nitrate → NaNO₃
(Na⁺ and NO₃⁻ combine in 1:1 ratio)

✔ Step 2: Write the unbalanced skeleton equation.

AgNO₃ + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO₃

✔ Step 3: Check if it’s already balanced.

Count atoms on each side:

| Element | Left Side | Right Side |
|---------|-----------|------------|
| Ag | 1 | 1 |
| N | 1 | 1 |
| O | 3 | 3 |
| Na | 1 | 1 |
| Cl | 1 | 1 |

✔ All elements are balanced!

✔ Final Balanced Equation:

AgNO₃ + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO₃

This is a classic double displacement (precipitation) reaction — silver chloride (AgCl) is insoluble and forms a white precipitate.

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## 🧠 General Strategy for All Problems:

1. Identify reactants and products from the word description.
2. Write correct chemical formulas using ion charges and criss-cross method if needed.
3. Write the unbalanced equation.
4. Balance atoms one element at a time, starting with metals or non-oxygen/non-hydrogen elements.
5. Check atom counts on both sides.
6. Add state symbols if required (e.g., (s), (l), (g), (aq)) — though not shown here.

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## 💡 Quick Notes on Other Problems:

- #2: Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂
→ Single replacement; zinc displaces hydrogen from acid.

- #3: CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + CO₂ + H₂O
→ Acid-carbonate reaction produces CO₂ gas.

- #4: 2K + Cl₂ → 2KCl
→ Synthesis/combination reaction; highly reactive metal + halogen.

- #5: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
→ Combustion/synthesis; classic water formation.

- #6: 2H₂O₂ → 2H₂O + O₂
→ Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

- #7: Mg(OH)₂ + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + 2H₂O
→ Neutralization reaction (acid + base → salt + water).

- #8: 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃
→ Metal oxidation; aluminum forms protective oxide layer.

- #9: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
→ Combustion of magnesium ribbon (bright white flame).

- #10: Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu
→ Single replacement; iron displaces copper.

- #11: CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂
→ Thermal decomposition of limestone.

- #12: 2Ca + O₂ → 2CaO
→ Metal oxidation.

- #13: 3CaCl₂ + 2Na₃PO₄ → Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + 6NaCl
→ Double displacement; calcium phosphate precipitates.

- #14: 2Ag + S → Ag₂S
→ Synthesis; silver tarnishes when exposed to sulfur.

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## 📌 Summary:

All 14 problems involve converting verbal descriptions into balanced chemical equations. The key skills are:

- Knowing how to write chemical formulas correctly.
- Recognizing reaction types (synthesis, decomposition, single/double displacement, combustion).
- Balancing equations by adjusting coefficients (never change subscripts!).

The answer key provided is correct for all 14 reactions.

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✔ If you’d like me to go through any specific problem in more detail (like balancing steps or explaining the reaction type), just let me know which number!