answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Oxygen gas is diatomic, so that's how it's written. For "prettier" equations, people sometimes cheat a little and write things like H2 + 1/2 O2 -> H2O instead of 2 H2 + O2 -> 2 H2O If a chemist for some reason needs to indicate that he really truly means a loose oxygen atom all by itself he'll write it with either a charge or with a little dot to indicate that it's a free radical.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Explain why oxygen gas must always be written as O2 in a chemical equation THank you so much.?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why metals are always written first in the chemical equation?

It is only a convention.


What parts of a chemical equation always follow after the arrow?

A chemical equation is defined as the short-hand representation of a true chemical reaction with the help of symbols and formula.A chemical equation is formed by reactants and products.Products of a chemical equation always follow after the arrow


What is a shorthand way of writing a chemical reaction?

A chemical reaction is always written with the reactants (the things you mix together to do the reaction) on the left and the products (the stuff you get) on the right. In between is an arrow pointing right to indicate that the reactants react and become the products. Catalysts are sometimes listed above the arrow. And don't forget to balance the equation.


How does chemical equations show a conservation of mass?

A properly written chemical equation will always show the same number of atoms of each elemental on each side, showing that no atoms are created or destroyed in the chemical reaction.


Should a chemical equation always have two reactants and two products?

no.


Which quantity must always be the same on both sides of a balanced chemical equation?

The numbers of atoms of each elemental type, as represented by their element symbols, will always be the same on both sides of a balanced chemical equation.


How does a chemical equation show that matter is always conserved in a chemical reaction?

According to the Law of Conservation Of Mass,Matter is neither created nor destroyed.It means a chemical equation show that matter is always conserved in a chemical reaction.It is shown as number of atoms both sides of the reaction before and after remains the same.


The Law of Conservation of Mass states that the equation for a chemical reaction will always be unbalanced?

False


Why is it wrong to change subcripts when balancing chemical equation?

When you are balancing known reactants and known products which is always the case when you are asked to "balance" a chemical equation you must not change the subscripts as that changes the reactants or the products to a different chemical compound.


What is the chemical name for As?

If it can be written :- as or As then it is a roman coin. If it is always written As (even in mid sentence) it is the chemical symbol for Arsenic.


Is it true a chemical equation must always be balanced because matter keeps its original properties?

Yes.


How is the law of covservation of mass illustrated in a chemical equation?

The mass of the reactants will always be equal to the mass of the products.