Question

Explain, with an example, how the physical states of the reactants and products can be shown in a chemical equation.

Answer 1

Physical state of reactants and products can be shown by writing (s) for solid, (l) for liquid, (aq) for aqueous solution and (g) for gaseous substance after its formula or symbol in a chemical reaction.

Carbon is in solid form, and carbon dioxide and oxygen are in gaseous form.

\[\ce{C_{(s)} + O2_{(g)} ->  CO2_{(g)} + HEAT}\]