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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Reactants and Products?

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The main difference between reactants and products lies in their roles within a chemical reaction and their positioning in a chemical equation.

Reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction, while products are the substances formed as a result of the reaction. Here are some key points about reactants and products:

  • Reactants are written on the left-hand side of a chemical equation, whereas products are written on the right-hand side.
  • In a chemical equation, an arrow points from the reactants to the products, indicating the direction of the reaction.
  • Bonds between the atoms of reactants break and form new bonds to make products, resulting in new substances with different properties.

To summarize:

  • Reactants are substances that start a chemical reaction and are written on the left-hand side of the equation.
  • Products are substances that form as a result of a chemical reaction and are written on the right-hand side of the equation.
On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Reactants and Products?
  • Comparative Table: Reactants vs Products

    • Comparative Table: Reactants vs Products

    Here is a table comparing the differences between reactants and products in a chemical reaction:

    Feature Reactants Products
    Definition Reactants are the substances present at the start of a chemical reaction. Products are the substances formed at the end of a chemical reaction.
    Position in a Chemical Equation Reactants are written on the left side of the arrow (e.g., $$\ce{A + B → C}$$). Products are written on the right side of the arrow (e.g., $$\ce{A + B → C}$$).
    Role in a Chemical Reaction Reactants are the substances that undergo chemical change, with their bonds breaking and atoms rearranging during the reaction. Products are the substances formed as a result of the chemical change, with new bonds between the atoms being formed.
    Examples In the chemical reaction $$\ce{Zn + S → ZnS}$$, zinc (Zn) and sulfur (S) are the reactants. In the chemical reaction $$\ce{Zn + S → ZnS}$$, zinc sulfide (ZnS) is the product.

    Remember that mass is conserved in a chemical reaction, meaning that the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.