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In a chemical equation, what does the abbreviation aq written after a formula indicate?
AThe substance is a pure solid
BThe substance is a pure liquid
CThe substance is dissolved in water
DThe substance is a gas at the time
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The substance is dissolved in water
1. State symbols are written in brackets straight after a formula.
2. The letter s marks a solid, l a liquid and g a gas.
3. The letters aq mark an aqueous solution, that is, a substance dissolved in water.
4. So aq tells you the species is in solution, not in a pure phase of its own.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 "Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions", section 4.1 Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations_
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