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

2 Answers
Jun 30, 2018

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!

Jun 30, 2018

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#.