| A | B |
|---|
| subscripts | multiplies to the left |
| parentheses | needed for more thanone polyatomic ion |
| Capital letter or One capital and one lower case | Indicates the symbol is an element |
| synthesis | simple to complex |
| decomposition | complex to simple |
| single displacement | one element is eliminated from a compound |
| double displacement | positive and negative parts of compounds switch partners |
| arrow | stands for yields, equals, becomes, turns into, etc. |
| reactants | at the tail of the arrow |
| products | at the head of the arrow |
| double arrow | indicates an equilibrium reaction |
| downward arrow after a product | a precipitate |
| upward arrow after a product | a gas is released |
| molecular formula | unit of a covalent compound |
| ionic formula | formula unit |
| one mole | 6.02 X 10^23 aroms, ions, molecules, formula units |
| justifying the equation | checking to make sure the sum of the molecular masses is equal on both sides |
