Question

A chemical equation that shows the formulas of the chemicals involved but not the proportions in which they react is called the

a. word equation
b. balanced equation
c. skeleton equation
d. incomplete equation

Answer 1

C. skeleton equation

Further explanation

A chemical reaction can be expressed in terms of:

• words equation
• the skeleton equation
• balanced equation

The skeleton equation is still in unbalanced form

so only chemical formulas of reactants and products so that the relative amounts of the reactants and products are not included

For example :

• word equation

Ethane + Oxygen ⇒ Carbon dioxide + Water

• skeleton equation

C₂H₆ + O₂ ⇒ CO₂ + H₂O

• balanced equation

2C₂H₆ + 7O₂ ⇒ 4CO₂ + 6H₂O

• incomplete equation

2C₂H₆ + 7O₂ ⇒ 4CO₂(H₂0 is still missing)