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What's a chemical equation?

Whats the difference between writing a chemical equation like this 2ClH + S and like this S + 2HCl?

  • Its a balanced equation from Cl2 + H2S

  • Answer:

    You could write S + HCl or HCl + S, the order doesn't matter, just like you could say that 5 + 15 = 20 or 15 + 5 = 20. But you couldn't say that 5 + 51 = 20. It would not be correct to reverse the order of the elements within a compound. The convention is that the element with the positive oxidation number is written first, as in HCl.

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No difference. Traditionally positive ions are written first so it is HCl not ClH, but the order of the products is arbitrary.

Michael P

It depends on the electronegativity, I believe you go from highest electronegativity to lowest, but it may be other way around.

bonzi232

Hey if u write 2ClH , you mean hydrochloric acid HCl, its not written as ClH bcoz first elements with positive valency come and then elements with negative valency come. Anyway if u write 2ClH + S, then you change the compound from Cl2 and H2S. Hope it helps you. If it does i would be happy to help you.

Rakshitha R

No difference whatsoever. It's simply not protocol or proper, (to be very English about it, old chap !). ClH is chloride of hydrogen or hydrogen chloride or Hydrochloric acid gas or liquid.

Norrie

ClH is improper. Compounds such as this are written with the "supposed" cation first which is H+, then followed by the anion Cl-. 2HCl + S and S + 2HCl are both correct. Addition is commutative.

handyman

the first one's chlorine hydride + sulfur the second one's sulfur + hydrogen chloride. they're two different things. :)

rubidium.chloride

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