what do (s) and (aq) mean in chemical equations
The state symbols in brackets show the physical state of. the substance at the reaction temperature. Solid (s), liquid (l), gas (g), or dissolved in water (aq). aq is called aqueous which comes. from the Latin word aqua meaning water. If you do not know the state of a substance. see melting and boiling points. If the melting point is above the reaction temperature, the substance is solid (s). If the boiling point is below the reaction temperature, the substance is gas (g).