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| chemical equation | a short, easy way to show a chemical reaction, using symbols instead of words |
| symbol | a one- or two-letter set of characters that is used to identify an element |
| chemical formula | a combination of symbols that represent the elements in a compound |
| subscript | a number in a chemical formula that tells the number of atoms in a molecule or the ratio of elements in a compound |
| reactant | a substance that enters into a chemical reaction |
| replacement | a reaction in which one element replaces another in a compound; or when two elements in different compounds trade places |
| conservation of mass | the principle stating that matter is not created or destroyed during a chemical reaction |
| coefficient | a number in front of a chemical formula in an equation that indicates how many molecules or atoms of each reactant and product are involved in a reaction |
| synthesis | a chemical reaction in which two or more simple substances combine to form a new, more complex substance |
| decomposition | a chemical reaction that breaks down compounds into simpler products |
| product | a substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction |
