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It is common to use the terms “chemical reaction” and “chemical equation” interchangeably. This is so true that, probably, many people who read the title of this article will wonder, for the first time, is there a difference between a chemical reaction and a chemical equation?
The answer is yes! Yes, there is. Despite being closely related, both terms are different.
chemical reactions
When we talk about a chemical reaction , we refer to the process by which one or more chemical substances (called reactants) are transformed into one or more different chemical substances (called products). Put more briefly, a chemical reaction is the process by which reactants are converted into products .
For example, the process by which butane (a hydrocarbon) burns in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy in the form of heat is a chemical reaction, which we can see every time we turn on the stove in the kitchen. .
The process by which cells in our body oxidize glucose to produce the energy necessary for life is also another example of a chemical reaction.
So is the process that an iron nail goes through exposed to the air and ends up turning into iron oxide.
Simply put, the chemical reaction is the process of chemical change itself; it is what we can see or perceive in some way when we put two reactive substances together and make them react.
the chemical equation
When we talk about chemical equations , we mean the way we represent chemical reactions on paper . This means that a chemical equation is actually a collection of symbols that we use to represent, in an orderly and logical way, the changes that occur during a chemical reaction.
In a chemical equation, we represent the atoms of different elements by their respective chemical symbols, and molecular substances and ionic compounds by their respective molecular or empirical formulas. Also included in chemical equations are stoichiometric coefficients that indicate the ratio in which reactants react and products are produced.
In many ways, chemical equations are similar to mathematical equations. Both are representations on paper that use symbols and numbers to indicate the relationship between the terms that appear in them. Both also have two sides or members separated by a central symbol indicating the relationship between the left and right sides. In mathematical equations, this symbol corresponds to the sign of equality, but in chemical equations, a reaction arrow is used as a symbol, which indicates in which direction the chemical reaction it represents occurs.
Differences between chemical reaction and chemical equation
| Chemical reaction | chemical equation |
| It refers to the process itself of transforming reactants into products. | It is a graphic representation of a chemical reaction. For example, the equation 2Na + Cl 2 → 2NaCl |
| Being processes, it can be said that a chemical reaction occurs. For example, a chemical reaction occurred between hydrogen and oxygen. | It makes no sense to say that a chemical equation occurs. For example, we would not say a chemical equation between hydrogen and oxygen occurred. |
| A chemical reaction can be described simply by listing the reactants and the products. It is understood that chemical reactions comply with all the laws of physics and chemistry. | For a chemical equation to accurately represent a reaction, it is necessary to specify the formulas of all reactants and products and, at a minimum, adjust or balance it to comply with the law of conservation of matter. |
| To describe a chemical reaction it is not necessary to know the molecular formula of the substances involved. | To write a chemical equation, it is necessary to know all the molecular formulas, otherwise it cannot be adjusted. |
| It is possible to see or detect chemical reactions, either directly or indirectly. | Chemical equations cannot be seen or detected any more than a mathematical equation or the letters printed in a book can be seen or detected. |
| A chemical reaction occurs regardless of whether its chemical equation is known. | Chemical equations do not exist without a chemical reaction, even if it is imaginary. |
Examples illustrating the difference between a chemical reaction and a chemical equation
Here are some examples of chemical reactions accompanied by their respective chemical equations in order to learn how to distinguish between the two:
Hydrogen combustion reaction:
It refers to the process by which hydrogen and oxygen react to form water.
Chemical equation of the combustion of hydrogen:
Ferric oxide formation reaction:
It is the process by which elemental iron and oxygen react to form water.
Chemical equation for the formation of ferric oxide:
Decomposition reaction of nitroglycerin:
It refers to an explosion reaction. It is the process by which nitroglycerin breaks down violently to form molecular nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water.
Chemical equation of the decomposition of nitroglycerin:
