Balance Chemical Equations

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas to show the reactants and products.

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Substances that undergo a chemical change during a reaction, found on the left side of the equation.

Front

What are products in a chemical equation?

Back

Substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction, found on the right side of the equation.

Front

What does the arrow in a chemical equation represent?

Back

It indicates the direction of the reaction, meaning 'yields' or 'produces'.

Front

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

Back

By using the subscripts in the chemical formula; for example, in H2O, there are 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

In a chemical reaction, mass is neither created nor destroyed; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A number placed in front of a chemical formula to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved.

Front

How do you balance the equation CH4 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O?

Back

The balanced equation is 1CH4 + 2O2 -> 1CO2 + 2H2O.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of iron and oxygen?

Back

4Fe + 3O2 -> 2Fe2O3.