Chemical formulas and equations

By Ollie Hunter2019-01-22T10:49:00

A picture showing a blackboard with chemical formulas written in white chalk

Source: © Getty Images

What is the point of chemical equations?

Alchemic names such as Epsom salts, Milk of Magnesia and oil of vitriol, may be evocative and mysterious but they don’t communicate chemical knowledge well. Although we still cling on to a few of these names, most chemicals are now named systematically on the basis of their composition. This article describes how to approach teaching naming, formulas and equations in the classroom.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.