Balancing Chemical Reactions Flashcard

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 an unbalanced chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What does the Law of Conservation of Mass state?

Back

During a chemical reaction, mass is neither created nor destroyed.

Front

How can you tell 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 same amount of matter is present before and after a reaction, adhering to the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Front

What is the 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 role of reactants in a chemical reaction?

Back

Reactants are the starting substances that undergo a chemical change to form products.

Front

What are products in a chemical reaction?

Back

Products are the substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

What does it mean to balance the equation H2 + O2 -> H2O?

Back

To balance this equation, you need to ensure that there are equal numbers of hydrogen and oxygen atoms on both sides, resulting in 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O.

Front

What is the significance of the equation 4P + 5O2 -> 2P2O5?

Back

This equation is balanced, showing that 4 phosphorus atoms and 10 oxygen atoms react to form 2 molecules of diphosphorus pentoxide.