Question

Would someone be willing to explain to me how to write the states of matter? Not quite getting it.

Answer 1

What do you not get?

Answer 2

Well, its quite easy when it comes to the explanation of the states of matter. Actually when u explain them u go for there inter-molecular forces. The difference between all three states is just the forces between them for example take H20, that is the water, now when its solid the force between the molecules is much greater so that it keeps the molecule stick together! NOTE: Im NOT talking about the covalent bond present in the water but the force which keeps the water molecule together! So when external force, that is heat, is applied to ice what happens is the forces of attraction are overcome and get weaker therefore creating distance btween the water molecules resulting in it bieng a liquid! Similarly, the same is the case of steam! The heat applied is sufficient enough to let the molecule b far apart. Once again Im talking on molecular level! Got it?

Answer 3

Mmm, not quite. I'm not understanding, for example, when I am writing a chemical equation, how to write their states of matter, only because I don't know how to tell if it is a (s), (l), (g), or (aq)

Answer 4

Okay, I get what you're asking. I'll just give you some GENERAL tips:
1. Read the problem carefully. Usually, if a problem is asking you to give a chemical equation, they will tell you how the reaction occurs. For example, they would say, solid magnesium oxide reacts with _____, or a reaction occurs in aqueous solution. Those key words like "solid" or "aqueous" and the conditions they give you really help determine the states of matter in most situations. This is the BEST and sure-fire way to predicting them.

2. If that's not enough, it helps to know the common states of matter elements naturally occur in. Most elements on the periodic table are solids -- for example, most metals and metalloids are solids (except mercury, which is a liquid at room temp), and nonmetals are either solids or gases (everything in group 8 is a gas a.k.a. noble gases)

3. If an element is alone by itself in an equation, it's probably in its natural state. For example, in the single displacement reaction Fe (s) + Pb(NO3)2 (aq) → Fe(NO3)2 (aq) + Pb (s), iron and lead (both metals) are solids.

3. Another helpful tip branches off from #2: know your diatomic gases, or the "lucky 7." The diatomic gases are: H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2, and they will make a 7 on the periodic table. If you see a problem like "this element reacts with nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine etc.," then you automatically know that one of the reactants will be diatomic and a gas. For example, if you have a problem like solid sodium iodide (NaI) reacts with chlorine, you know that in the reaction chlorine will be written as Cl2 (g).

4. Ionic compounds such as oxides, sulfates, nitrates, carbonates, graphites are usually solid.

5. For aqueous solutions, it can get more complicated. Acids and bases are always aqueous. In neutralization reactions (acid + base), the products will always be water and a soluble salt (which will be aqueous).

6. If the problem says "something dissolved in" or "a solution of" the products will be aqueous.

7. In double displacement reactions, the reactants are always aqueous.

I could go on and on about all the different possibilities for predicting the states of matter in chemical equations, but it in the end, it really comes down to experience. As you practice more and more into writing chemical reactions, you'll notice a lot of patterns, and eventually you'll become pretty comfortable with writing them. It takes some common sense and prior knowledge on different types of chemical reactions (single displacement, double displacement, combustion, neutralization, etc.) to write chemical equations, but with practice you can definitely get there.