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 the reaction.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only change forms.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical reaction?

Back

Reactants are the starting substances in a chemical reaction that undergo change to form products.

Front

What are products in a chemical reaction?

Back

Products are the substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you determine the coefficients in a balanced equation?

Back

Coefficients are determined by adjusting the numbers in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the significance of coefficients in a balanced equation?

Back

Coefficients indicate the relative amounts of reactants and products involved in the reaction.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Front

What is a common method for balancing chemical equations?

Back

A common method is the trial and error method, where coefficients are adjusted one at a time to achieve balance.

Front

What does it mean to balance the equation 2HBr + Mg(OH)2 → MgBr2 + 2H2O?

Back

It means that there are 2 hydrogen (H), 2 bromine (Br), 1 magnesium (Mg), and 2 oxygen (O) atoms on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)?

Back

2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2.