Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A chemical equation is balanced when the product or products has the same elements and amount of each element as the reactants had before the reaction occurred.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is unbalanced?

Back

A chemical equation is unbalanced when the product or products don't have the same elements or amount of each element as the reactants had before the reaction occurred.

Front

What is the balanced equation for PCl5 + H2O?

Back

PCl5 + 4 H2O → 5 HCl + H3PO4

Front

Is the equation Al + O2 → 2Al2O3 balanced?

Back

NO!

Front

Is the equation Ca + O2 = CaO balanced?

Back

Unbalanced

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

To ensure that the same number of each type of atom is present on both sides of the equation.

Front

What do coefficients in a chemical equation represent?

Back

Coefficients indicate the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in the reaction.

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 do you do if an element appears in multiple compounds in a reaction?

Back

Balance that element last to simplify the process.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; it is conserved.