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 does it mean to balance an equation?

Back

Balancing an equation means adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides.

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

How do you determine the coefficients in a balanced equation?

Back

Coefficients are determined by adjusting the numbers in front of the compounds to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides.

Front

What is the 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.

Front

Balance the equation: _C + _O₂ → _CO₂. What are the coefficients?

Back

1, 1, 1.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

Balance the equation: _H₂ + _O₂ → _H₂O. What are the coefficients?

Back

2, 1, 2.

Front

What is a reactant in a chemical equation?

Back

A reactant is a substance that undergoes a chemical change in a reaction, found on the left side of the equation.

Front

What is a product in a chemical equation?

Back

A product is a substance that is formed as a result of a chemical reaction, found on the right side of the equation.