Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

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 a chemical 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 is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A coefficient is a number placed in front of a chemical formula in an equation to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

How do you determine the coefficients needed to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation, adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products until the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What is the coefficient for NaHCO3 in the equation: 2 NaHCO3 -> Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O?

Back

The coefficient for NaHCO3 is 2.

Front

How many HCl molecules are needed to balance the equation: Mg + HCl -> MgCl2 + H2?

Back

2 HCl molecules are needed to balance the equation.

Front

What is the coefficient for MgCl2 in the equation: Mg + HCl -> MgCl2 + H2?

Back

The coefficient for MgCl2 is 1.

Front

What is the coefficient for O2 in the balanced equation: H2O2 -> H2O + O2?

Back

The coefficient for O2 is 1.

Front

What is the balanced ratio of chemicals in the equation: Na + H2O -> NaOH + H2?

Back

The balanced ratio is 2,2 -> 2,1.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced chemical equation does not have the same number of each type of atom on both sides, indicating that mass is not conserved.