Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the purpose of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are used to indicate the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in a chemical reaction, helping to balance the equation.

Front

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

Back

To find the total number of atoms in a compound, multiply the number of atoms of each element by its subscript and sum them up.

Front

What is the significance of the law of conservation of mass in balancing equations?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, which is why chemical equations must be balanced.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step in balancing a chemical equation is to write down the number of atoms of each element present in the reactants and products.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced chemical equation indicates that the number of atoms of at least one element is not the same on both sides, violating the law of conservation of mass.

Front

How do you balance the equation N₂ + O₂ → NO?

Back

To balance the equation, place a coefficient of 2 in front of NO, resulting in N₂ + O₂ → 2NO.

Front

What are the coefficients for the reaction AgNO₃ + H₂S → Ag₂S + HNO₃?

Back

The coefficients are 2, 1 → 1, 2.

Front

What is the total number of atoms in 5Na₃PO₄?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of subscripts in chemical formulas?

Back

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