Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A balanced chemical equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during a chemical 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 the 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 coefficient for O in the balanced equation 4Al + 3O2 -> 2Al2O3?

Back

The coefficient for O is 3.

Front

What is the coefficient for H2 in the balanced equation 2Al + 6HCl -> 3H2 + 2AlCl3?

Back

The coefficient for H2 is 3.

Front

What is the coefficient for Zn in the balanced equation Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2?

Back

The coefficient for Zn is 1.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is already balanced?

Back

If a chemical equation is already balanced, it means that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation, and no further adjustments are needed.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step in balancing a chemical equation is to write down the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Front

What is the significance of balancing chemical equations in chemistry?

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Balancing chemical equations is crucial because it reflects the conservation of mass and allows chemists to predict the amounts of reactants and products involved in a reaction.