States of Matter

[Peter Nguyen 2I]

When balancing a chemical equation do the states of matter, (s),(l),(g), and (aq), affect anything or are they just there to show what state of matter the reactants/products are?

[Raj_Bains_2C]

The states of matter should be stated most of the time, but as far as I know it does not affect any calculations made using the balanced chemical equation. I do think that they are just there for analytical purposes and to just show what states of matter the reactants and products are in.

[ElliotPourdavoud 1A]

No, I'm pretty sure that the states of matter don't affect balancing as the only thing that does is the quantity of atoms.

[zoepamonag4C]

It doesn't help with balancing, but It helps you figure out what type of reaction is occurring (ex: combustion reactions using O2 gas as a reactant)

[Jack Hewitt 2H]

Does anyone know if we need to write the different states of matter in each equation?

[Hannah Yates 1K]

I have always struggled on knowing the state of a given molecule so I am hoping that they will be given until we go over it in class.

As far as if it affects calculations, it doesn’t. All it does is help us visualize the reaction.

[Ava Kjos 1D]

With what we are doing currently, the states of matter won't affect any calculations. My TA said that we should include the states whenever possible, and later on they will become more relevant to us.

[Joey Greco 1F]

I believe we are supposed add the state of matter when balancing and writing chemical equations (writing the abbreviation next to the compound), but I'm pretty sure that the state of matter becomes more important later on in the year.

[Rachel Dang 1H]

States of matter can come into play when you're writing net ionic equations like in problem M9. They'll also come into play when looking at solubility and what ions are actually interacting with each other in a precipitation reaction or why a solid is a solid and not another state of matter at a certain temperature.

[Veronica Soliman 4H]

In addition to everyone's comments, I'd recommend you be very careful when determining the state of water (because it has 3 states), it is best to read the question carefully and determine if the other reactants and products are hot/cold/room temperature.

[Katie Frei 1L]

I do not believe that the states of matter have any effect on balancing chemical equations. However when given the states of matter in a problem, it is best if you include them when writing out the chemical equations for the reactions.

[Lia Inadomi 1I]

My TA said that you should always include states of matter when writing out an equation