Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced equation?

Back

A balanced 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 an unbalanced equation?

Back

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

Front

How do you determine if an equation is balanced?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. If they are equal, the equation is balanced.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the law of conservation of mass is followed, meaning that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of methane (CH4)?

Back

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

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of sodium and water?

Back

The balanced equation is: 2 Na + 2 H2O -> 2 NaOH + H2.

Front

What does it mean to balance an equation using coefficients?

Back

It means 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 first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of the law of conservation of mass in balancing equations?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, which is why equations must be balanced.