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.

Front

What does it mean if an equation is unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced equation has a different number of atoms of one or more elements on each side.

Front

Can you change the subscripts when balancing equations?

Back

No, you cannot change the subscripts; you can only change the coefficients.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

To ensure that the law of conservation of mass is followed, meaning matter is neither created nor destroyed.

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 are involved.

Front

What does the equation 2 H₂ + O₂ = 2 H₂O represent?

Back

It represents a balanced chemical reaction where hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Front

What does the equation Fe + S --> FeS represent?

Back

It represents a balanced equation where iron reacts with sulfur to form iron sulfide.

Front

What is the significance of the arrow in a chemical equation?

Back

The arrow indicates the direction of the reaction, showing reactants turning into products.

Front

What happens if you have more reactants than products in an equation?

Back

The equation is unbalanced and needs to be adjusted to have equal numbers of each type of atom.