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. Here are some examples:
2. potassium iodide + lead (II) nitrate → potassium nitrate + lead (II) iodide
2KI + Pb(NO3)2 → 2KNO3 + PbI2
3. Iron (III) oxide + carbon → carbon monoxide + iron
Fe2O3 + 3C → 3CO + 2Fe
4. mercury (II) oxide → mercury + oxygen
2HgO → 2Hg + O2
5. calcium + aluminum chloride → calcium chloride + aluminum
3Ca + 2AlCl3 → 3CaCl2 + 2Al
- dinitrogen tetroxide → nitrogen + oxygen
2. potassium iodide + lead (II) nitrate → potassium nitrate + lead (II) iodide
2KI + Pb(NO3)2 → 2KNO3 + PbI2
3. Iron (III) oxide + carbon → carbon monoxide + iron
Fe2O3 + 3C → 3CO + 2Fe
4. mercury (II) oxide → mercury + oxygen
2HgO → 2Hg + O2
5. calcium + aluminum chloride → calcium chloride + aluminum
3Ca + 2AlCl3 → 3CaCl2 + 2Al