Solid in LaTeX (\text{(s)})

Where it is used

State symbol marking a species as solid, often a precipitate or a metal electrode.

Precipitation reactions end with a solid, like \text{AgCl(s)}, and thermochemistry depends on it: the enthalpy of formation of carbon refers to graphite in the solid state. Some older texts use a downward arrow for a precipitate instead; the parenthesized symbol is the IUPAC-preferred form. Write it immediately after the formula with no space. Wrapping it in \text keeps the s upright; in math mode an unwrapped s would be italic and might be mistaken for the unit second or a variable.

Minimal compilable example

Paste this into an empty .tex file and compile it with pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
Solid: $\text{(s)}$

\[ \text{CaCO}_3\text{(s)} \to \text{CaO(s)} + \text{CO}_2\text{(g)} \]
\end{document}

Related symbols

• Liquid\text{(l)}
• Aqueous\text{(aq)}
• Gas state symbol (g)\text{(g)}
• Electrone^{-}
• Partial Charge\delta^{+}
• Triple Bond\text{C}\equiv\text{C}

Frequently asked questions

How do I write Solid in LaTeX?

Type \text{(s)} in math mode, for example $\text{CaCO}_3\text{(s)} \to \text{CaO(s)} + \text{CO}_2\text{(g)}$. Load amsmath first with \usepackage{amsmath}.

Which package do I need for \text{(s)}?

\text{(s)} needs amsmath: add \usepackage{amsmath} to your preamble before the document starts.

Can I use \text{(s)} in text mode, or only in math mode?

Both. \text{(s)} compiles in running text as well as inside $...$; in a formula keep it in math mode so it gets math fonts and spacing.