BALANCING CHEMICAL REACTIONS

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 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 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 purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to ensure that the reaction obeys the law of conservation of mass and accurately represents the quantities of reactants and products.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced chemical equation does not have the same number of atoms of each element on both sides, which means it does not accurately represent the reaction.

Front

What is a reactant in a chemical reaction?

Back

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

Front

What is a product in a chemical reaction?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of the coefficients 2, 3, and 1 in the equation 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2?

Back

The coefficients indicate the ratio of moles of each substance involved in the reaction, showing that 2 moles of sodium react with 2 moles of water to produce 2 moles of sodium hydroxide and 1 mole of hydrogen.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of propane (C3H8)?

Back

The balanced equation is C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O.