Calcium hydride reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. (a) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the reaction: Calcium hydride (CaH2) reacts with water (H2O) to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas: CaH2 + H2O -> Ca(OH)2 + H2.
3. Balance the equation by adjusting coefficients to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
4. Start by balancing the calcium (Ca) atoms. There is one Ca atom on each side, so they are already balanced.
5. Next, balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. Consider the hydrogen atoms in CaH2, H2O, and H2, and adjust coefficients to balance them. Finally, balance the oxygen (O) atoms from H2O and Ca(OH)2.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations is essential in chemistry to ensure that the law of conservation of mass is upheld. This means that the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal numbers of each type of atom.

Chemical Reaction Types

Understanding the types of chemical reactions is crucial for predicting the products of a reaction. The reaction between calcium hydride and water is a type of synthesis reaction, where two or more reactants combine to form a single product. Recognizing the nature of the reactants helps in determining the expected products and their states.

States of Matter in Reactions

In chemical equations, the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, aqueous) are indicated to provide clarity on the physical form of the reactants and products. For instance, calcium hydroxide is typically a solid, while hydrogen gas is a gaseous product. Including these states helps in understanding the reaction conditions and the behavior of substances involved.