Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas to show the reactants and products.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Substances that undergo a chemical change during a reaction, found on the left side of the equation.

Front

What are products in a chemical equation?

Back

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

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.

Front

What is the Law of Conservation of Mass?

Back

Matter cannot be gained or lost in a chemical reaction; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

How do you balance the equation CH4 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O?

Back

The balanced equation is 1CH4 + 2O2 --> 1CO2 + 2H2O.

Front

What is the coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A number placed in front of a chemical formula to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved.

Front

What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced equation?

Back

A balanced equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides, while an unbalanced equation does not.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products.

Front

What does it mean if an equation is not balanced?

Back

It indicates that the reaction does not obey the Law of Conservation of Mass.