Balancing Equations

Front

What is the principle of conservation of mass?

Back

Matter is not created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Front

What are the substances on the left side of a chemical equation called?

Back

Reactants

Front

How many oxygen atoms are in 4H₂O?

Back

4

Front

What is the term for the number in front of a compound in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficient

Front

What is the term for the small number written below an element symbol in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscript

Front

How many phosphorus atoms are in PO₄?

Back

1

Front

What do we call the substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction?

Back

Products

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas.

Front

What is the purpose of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

To indicate the number of molecules or moles of a substance.