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How to Depict Basic Types of Chemical Reactions

A chemical reaction is the process in which at least one chemical substance changes to another. The substances that are initially involved in the chemical reaction are called reactants, and the end results of the reaction are called the products. The general format for writing a chemical equation is: aA + bB --> cC + dD.

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the reactants.
  
  For example:
  
  H + OH
- 2
  Identify the product(s).
  
  H + OH --> H2O
- 3
  Balance the equation. Most chemical reactions follow the law of conservation of mass; nuclear reactions are the only exception. The law of conservation of mass is defined as, matter is neither created nor destroyed. Under this law, chemical equations must be balanced; the number of atoms of each element must be the same on the reactants side as well as the products.
  
  In our example: H + OH --> H2O
  
  There are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in the reactants and two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in the product. This equation is balanced.

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