Question

What are the substances that are on the left side of a chemical equation?

Answer 1

They are called the reactants.

Explanation:

In a chemical equation in the form of:

`A+B->C+D`

`A` and `B` are considered reactants, which are the substances you begin with to do the reaction. Think of them like the "ingredients".

`C` and `D` are called the products. These are made after the reaction is complete. After you combine all the ingredients to make a product, the finished product can be considered `C` and `D`.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Well, you tell us...and of course you MUST specify which side of the equation you face. Why so?

Explanation:

We address...

`underbrace(A+B)_"the reactants"`

`rarrunderbrace(C+D)_"the products"`

(I could not get the equation onto the ONE line!) And as ALWAYS chemical reactions conserve (i) mass, i.e. the mass of `A+B` is PRECISELY equivalent to the mass of `C+D`, and (ii) CHARGE...the charge of `A+B` is PRECISELY equivalent to the charge of `C+D`.