Solving Science Questions: Balancing Equations & Naming Compounds

[cuthbertsnow]

1) How come when I balance chemical equations they are balanced when I sort the amount of each element, but writing the reaction equation out is not correct? What do you need to do when writing it out after?


2) When do you use roman numberals and prefixes when writing the names for compounds?

 

[Borek]

1) How come when I balance chemical equations they are balanced when I sort the amount of each element, but writing the reaction equation out is not correct? What do you need to do when writing it out after?

Please give an example, it is not clear what you mean.

2) When do you use roman numberals and prefixes when writing the names for compounds?

In general - when the name given without them is not clear. There is only one zinc oxide, so name "zinc oxide" is unambiguous. There are three iron oxides, so name "iron oxide" needs clarification.

Note that calling zinc oxide "zinc (II) oxide" is not an error, even if you are stating the obvious.