Chemical reactions - Number of atoms (1 Viewer)

[Aysce]

In Conquering Chemistry I came across something unclear in my opinion and I just need some clarification. I quote:

"The number of atoms of each type is conserved. For example in case 5 above, the number of chlorine atoms in the products is equal to the number in the reactants; similarly for magnesium atoms, oxygen atoms and hydrogen atoms".

Case 5: Common ways of deciding that a chemical reaction has occurred - If there is a disappearance of a solid which is not merely physical dissolution of the solid in the solvent; for example white magnesium hydroxide powder added to hydrochloric acid produces a clear solution

I don't really understand the bolded part - I've interpreted that there are the same amount of chlorine atoms in the products and reactants but looking through certain chemical reactions, it's not the case :/

E.g. P + Cl2 -> PCl3

Thanks for the help

 

[nightweaver066]

That equation is not balanced.

It should be, 2P + 3Cl2 -> 2PCl3

 

[Aysce]

That equation is not balanced.

It should be, 2P + 3Cl2 -> 2PCl3

Oh, I haven't learnt to balance them yet ^__^' my bad.

So the way I interpreted was correct.. Thanks!