Write Word Equations
Translate chemical changes into simple words
What this lesson covers
Why it matters
A magnesium ribbon flares blinding white and leaves a white ash. In words: magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide. That is a word equation.
Predict first
In 'Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium oxide', what does the arrow → mean?
A word equation names reactants on the left, products on the right, with → meaning 'forms'. Here: magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide.
- 'Yields' or 'forms' — it separates reactants from products — correct
- 'Plus'
- 'Is heavier than'
What you do
Burn the magnesium and watch it form white magnesium oxide — the reaction your word equation describes.
Check yourself
The correct word equation for burning magnesium is…
Reactants (magnesium, oxygen) on the left; product (magnesium oxide) on the right.
In a word equation, the arrow → means…
The arrow reads 'forms' or 'yields'.
In 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO, the product is…
Magnesium oxide is formed — the product on the right.
- Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium oxide — correct
- Magnesium → Oxygen + Magnesium oxide
- Magnesium + Air → Rust
- forms / yields — correct
- plus
- minus
- Magnesium oxide — correct
- Magnesium
- Oxygen