Basic Chemistry Concepts

Front

Subscript

Back

A number written below and to the right of a chemical symbol that shows the number of atoms.

Front

Chemical Formula

Back

A shorthand notation that uses chemical symbols and subscripts to represent the type and number of atoms in the smallest unit of the substance.

Front

Chemical Reaction

Back

The process by which one or more substances get changed to produce one or more different substances.

Front

Chemical Equation

Back

Chemical formulas and symbols written to represent an entire reaction.

Front

Coefficient

Back

A number placed in front of a chemical symbol or formula in order to balance the equation.

Front

Balanced Chemical Equation

Back

A symbolic representation of a chemical reaction in which both sides of the equation contain equal numbers of atoms of each element. The mass must be balanced on both sides.

Front

Reactants

Back

Substances that take part in and get changed by a chemical reaction.

Front

Products

Back

Substances that are produced during a chemical reaction.

Front

Law of Conservation of Matter (Mass)

Back

The mass of all reactants must equal the mass of all products. Matter is neither created nor destroyed.

Front

Physical Change

Back

Affects size, shape, state of matter, or color of a substance, but does not turn it into a new substance.