Write the balanced chemical equation for each reaction. a. Solid copper reacts with solid sulfur to form solid copper(I) sulfide.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Each side of the equation must have equal numbers of each type of atom, which often requires adjusting coefficients in front of the chemical formulas.

Chemical Reaction Types

Chemical reactions can be classified into various types, including synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and double replacement. The reaction described in the question is a synthesis reaction, where two or more reactants combine to form a single product. Understanding the type of reaction helps in predicting the products and writing the correct balanced equation.

Chemical Formulas

Chemical formulas represent the composition of compounds, indicating the types and numbers of atoms involved. For example, copper(I) sulfide is represented as Cu2S, where 'Cu' stands for copper and 'S' for sulfur. Knowing how to interpret and write chemical formulas is essential for accurately representing the substances involved in a reaction and for balancing the equation correctly.