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 the reaction.

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

How do you determine if a chemical 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 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 total number of atoms in H2SO4?

Back

7 (2 Hydrogen, 1 Sulfur, 4 Oxygen)

Front

How many atoms of carbon are in C6H12O6?

Back

6

Front

Is the equation 2H2O + O2 --> 4MgO + 3Fe balanced?

Back

No

Front

What can be placed to the left of a formula to balance an equation?

Back

Coefficient

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Write down the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is unbalanced?

Back

It means that the number of atoms of at least one element is different on the reactant side compared to the product side.