Balancing and Types of Reactions

Front

What are subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts are the small numbers written to the lower right of an element symbol in a chemical formula that indicate the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed in front of the compounds in a chemical equation that indicate the number of molecules or moles of that substance involved in the reaction.

Front

What is a double replacement reaction?

Back

A double replacement reaction is a type of chemical reaction where two compounds exchange ions or bonds to form two new compounds.

Front

What is a reactant?

Back

A reactant is a substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction and is consumed during the reaction.

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.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

When balancing a chemical equation, what can you change?

Back

You can change coefficients, but you can never change subscripts.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The purpose of balancing a chemical equation is to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, reflecting the conservation of mass.

Front

What is the difference between a synthesis reaction and a decomposition reaction?

Back

A synthesis reaction involves two or more reactants combining to form a single product, while a decomposition reaction involves a single compound breaking down into two or more products.

Front

What is an example of a combustion reaction?

Back

An example of a combustion reaction is the burning of methane (CH4) in oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).