Which statement best describes a word equation?

• A. It uses words to describe reactants and products.
• B. It shows unbalanced stoichiometry.
• C. It uses symbols and formulas only.
• D. It indicates reaction mechanisms.

Answer: (A)

Word equations describe chemical reactions using the names of substances rather than their chemical symbols or formulas. This makes the reaction readable in everyday language. For example, hydrogen gas + oxygen gas → water shows the reactants and product with words. The best description is that it uses words to describe reactants and products. The other ideas don’t fit: a word equation isn’t defined by balancing (it can be balanced or unbalanced), it’s not just about symbols and formulas (that would be a symbolic equation), and it doesn’t show reaction mechanisms (the steps of how the reaction proceeds).