Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What are the reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

The substances that undergo a chemical change in a reaction, found on the left side of the equation.

Front

What are the products in a chemical equation?

Back

The substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction, found on the right side of the equation.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

The large number in front of a chemical formula that indicates how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation, following the law of conservation of mass.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

A principle stating that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you identify the limiting reactant in a chemical reaction?

Back

The reactant that is completely consumed first, limiting the amount of product that can be formed.

Front

What is a skeleton equation?

Back

A chemical equation that shows the reactants and products but not the relative amounts of each.

Front

What is the significance of the yield in a chemical reaction?

Back

The amount of product obtained from a reaction, often expressed as a percentage of the theoretical yield.

Front

What is a balanced equation for the combustion of methane (CH₄)?

Back

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.

Front

What is the difference between a molecular equation and an ionic equation?

Back

A molecular equation shows the complete formulas of all reactants and products, while an ionic equation shows the ions that are present in solution.