Chapter 9, Problem 59A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The difference between reactants and products needs to be explained.

Concept introduction: Chemical equation the symbolic description of a chemical reaction that products and reactants are indicating in terms of their chemical formula.

Answer to Problem 59A

In a chemical equation, products are written on the right side of the arrow and reactants are written on the left side of the arrow.

Explanation of Solution

The substances which undergo a chemical change to become something new are reactants. Products are the substances that are formed from reactants in chemical reactions. In a chemical equation, products are written on the right side of the arrow and reactants on the left side of the arrow. Example:

  $\underset{\text{Reactants}}{\text{Fe}\left(s\right)+\text{S}\left(s\right)}\to \underset{\text{Products}}{\text{FeS}\left(s\right)}$

Conclusion

Products are the substances that are formed from reactants and reactants undergo a chemical change to become something new.