Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A chemical equation is balanced when the number of atoms for each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.

Front

What does it mean for a chemical equation to be unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced chemical equation has a different number of atoms for one or more elements on the reactant side compared to the product side.

Front

How can you determine if a chemical equation is balanced?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation; if they are equal, the equation is balanced.

Front

What is the purpose of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are used to balance chemical equations by indicating the number of molecules or moles of each reactant and product.

Front

In the equation N₂ + O₂ → NO, what coefficient is needed to balance it?

Back

The coefficient needed is 2, making the balanced equation N₂ + O₂ → 2NO.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

How many oxygen atoms are present in the balanced equation 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O?

Back

There are 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 2 oxygen atoms on the product side, making it balanced.

Front

Why is it important to balance chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations is important to accurately represent the conservation of mass and ensure that the reaction can occur as described.

Front

What is the balanced form of the equation H₂ + O₂ → H₂O?

Back

The balanced form is 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.

Front

What does the symbol '→' represent in a chemical equation?

Back

The symbol '→' represents the direction of the reaction, indicating that reactants are transformed into products.