Balancing Chemical 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 the 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 are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed before the compounds in a chemical equation to indicate the number of molecules or moles of each substance involved in the reaction.

Front

How do you determine if a chemical equation is balanced?

Back

To determine if a chemical equation is balanced, count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation and ensure they are equal.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step in balancing a chemical equation is to write down the unbalanced equation and list the number of atoms of each element present.

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What does it mean to balance an equation using the smallest whole number coefficients?

Back

Balancing an equation using the smallest whole number coefficients means finding the simplest ratio of coefficients that balances the number of atoms of each element.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of SnO₂ and H₂?

Back

The balanced equation is: 1 SnO₂ + 2 H₂ → 1 Sn + 2 H₂O.

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What is the balanced equation for the combustion of phosphorus (P₄) with oxygen (O₂)?

Back

The balanced equation is: 1 P₄ + 3 O₂ → 2 P₂O₃.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the decomposition of KNO₃?

Back

The balanced equation is: 2 KNO₃ → 2 KNO₂ + 1 O₂.

Front

How can you tell if an equation is unbalanced?

Back

An equation is unbalanced if the number of atoms of any element differs between the reactants and products.