Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of solid strontium with iodine gas.

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Identify the reactants and products: Strontium (Sr) is a solid metal, and iodine (I2) is a diatomic gas. The product of their reaction is strontium iodide (SrI2).

Write the unbalanced chemical equation: Sr(s) + I2(g) → SrI2(s).

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Initially, you have 1 Sr atom and 2 I atoms on the reactant side, and 1 Sr atom and 2 I atoms on the product side.

Check if the equation is balanced. In this case, the equation is already balanced as there is an equal number of each type of atom on both sides.

Confirm the physical states of each compound: Strontium is a solid (s), iodine is a gas (g), and strontium iodide is a solid (s).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chemical Reactions

A chemical reaction involves the transformation of reactants into products through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. In this case, solid strontium (Sr) reacts with iodine gas (I2) to form strontium iodide (SrI2). Understanding the nature of reactants and products is essential for writing balanced chemical equations.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing a chemical equation ensures that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation, adhering to the law of conservation of mass. This involves adjusting coefficients in front of compounds to achieve balance. For the reaction of strontium and iodine, the balanced equation must reflect the correct stoichiometry of the reactants and products.

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when metals react with nonmetals, resulting in the transfer of electrons and the formation of charged ions. In this reaction, strontium, a metal, donates electrons to iodine, a nonmetal, leading to the formation of strontium iodide (SrI2), an ionic compound. Recognizing the properties of ionic compounds helps in predicting the products of the reaction.