Chemical equations use state symbolA symbol used in chemical equations to show if a substance is a solid, a liquid, a gas, or an aqueous solution.:
State symbol
Meaning
(s)
solid
(l)
liquid
(g)
gas
(aq)
aqueous solution (dissolved in water)
State symbol
(s)
Meaning
solid
State symbol
(l)
Meaning
liquid
State symbol
(g)
Meaning
gas
State symbol
(aq)
Meaning
aqueous solution (dissolved in water)
Question
An iron nail is placed in a solution of blue copper(II) sulfate. Over time, a brown solid appears and the solution becomes colourless. This is because copper and a solution of iron(II) sulfate forms.
Add state symbols to the balanced chemical equationA chemical equation written using the symbols and formulae of the reactants and products, so that the number of units of each element present is the same on both sides of the arrow. for the reaction of iron with copper(II) sulfate.