Symbols Used in Chemical Equations

Symbol Meaning

Symbol Meaning

→

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.→←

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.→←

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or

→←↓

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

→←↓

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

→←↓

The arrow is usually used for products and

not reactants

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l)

→←↓

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

→←↓

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or

→←↓

↑

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

→←↓

↑

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

→←↓

↑

The arrow is usually used for products and

not reactants

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq)

→←↓

↑

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

→←↓

↑

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or The reactants are heated.

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or The reactants are heated.

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

→pressure

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or The reactants are heated.

The reaction is carried out at high pressure.

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

→pressure

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or The reactants are heated.

The reaction is carried out at high pressure.

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

→pressure

→0° C

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or The reactants are heated.

The reaction is carried out at high pressure.

The reaction is carried out at 0° C.

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

→pressure

→0° C

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or The reactants are heated.

The reaction is carried out at high pressure.

The reaction is carried out at 0° C.

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

→pressure

→0° C

→MnO2

Symbol Meaning

→ “yields”; This indicates the result of a reaction.

This indicates a reversible reaction.

(s) or The reactant or product is a solid.

(l) The reactant or product is a liquid.

(g) or The reactant or product is a gas.

(aq) The reactant or product is dissolved in water.

or The reactants are heated.

The reaction is carried out at high pressure.

The reaction is carried out at 0° C.

The reaction is carried out with a catalyst (MnO2).

→←↓

↑

→heat

→Δ

→pressure

→0° C

→MnO2

For example:

For example:

In the reaction:

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s)

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq)

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) →

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq)

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq)

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

Two chlorines on the left mean two on the right as well.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

Two chlorines on the left mean two on the right as well.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

Two chlorines on the left mean two on the right as well.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We also need to balance the equation.

Two hydrogens on the right mean two on the left as well.

Two chlorines on the left mean two on the right as well.

The equation is balanced.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We could also write the equation as follows –

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We could also write the equation as follows –

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 ↑

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We could also write the equation as follows –

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 ↑

using the arrow symbol for gas.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We could also write the equation as follows –

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 ↑

using the arrow symbol for gas.

For example:

In the reaction:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 (g)

We read this as –

Solid zinc and hydrochloric acid in water react to form

zinc ion with a 2+ charge in water, chloride ion with a

1– charge in water, and hydrogen gas.

We could also write the equation as follows –

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2Cl– (aq) + H2 ↑

using the arrow symbol for gas.