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Skeleton Equations

Word equations can be very useful. Generally, however, skeleton equations, in which we have substituted chemical formulas for the chemical names, are even more useful. Skeleton equations are also sometimes called unbalanced equations.

Continuing with the electrolysis of water, we have a skeleton equation, "H₂O H₂ + O₂." The formula for water is H₂O; the formula for hydrogen is H₂; and the formula for oxygen is O₂. A skeleton equation is just a way of using the formulas to indicate the chemicals that were involved in the chemical reaction.

"Mg + O₂ MgO." This skeleton equation shows that magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. It also shows that the formula for magnesium is Mg, for oxygen is O₂, and for magnesium oxide is MgO. Throughout this lesson you will be presented the formulas of chemicals in equations.

In the examples presented so far you know that the formulas have been established by experimental data such as mass and volume measurements, calculations including composition, and reasoning using Avogadro’s Hypothesis. Similar work has gone into determining the other formulas you will see. In a few lessons you will know enough about the nature of atoms of different elements to be able to predict the formulas of the compounds they will form. For the time being just work with the formulas as presented.

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E-mail instructor: Eden Francis

Clackamas Community College
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