Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

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A balanced chemical equation has the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during the reaction.

Front

How do you determine the number of atoms in a compound?

Back

To determine the number of atoms in a compound, multiply the subscript of each element by the coefficient in front of the compound, if present, and then sum the total for all elements.

Front

What is the significance of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients indicate the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in the reaction, affecting the overall balance of the equation.

Front

What does it mean if a reaction is not balanced?

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If a reaction is not balanced, it means that the number of atoms of at least one element is different on the reactant side compared to the product side, violating the law of conservation of mass.

Front

How can you tell if a chemical equation is balanced?

Back

A chemical equation is balanced if the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the role of subscripts in a chemical formula?

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Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule; for example, in H2O, the '2' indicates there are two hydrogen atoms.

Front

What is the total number of atoms in the compound 5Na3PO4?

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The total number of atoms in 5Na3PO4 is 40, calculated as follows: 5*(3 Na + 1 P + 4 O) = 5*(3 + 1 + 4) = 5*8 = 40.

Front

What is the formula for calculating the total number of atoms in a compound?

Back

The total number of atoms in a compound can be calculated by multiplying the number of each type of atom (given by subscripts) by the coefficient and summing them up.

Front

What does it mean for a reaction to be exothermic?

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An exothermic reaction is one that releases energy, usually in the form of heat, to the surroundings.

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What is the difference between a reactant and a product in a chemical reaction?

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Reactants are the starting substances that undergo a chemical change, while products are the substances formed as a result of the reaction.