Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced equation?

Back

A balanced equation has the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the product side of a chemical equation?

Back

The product side is the right side of the equation, where the products of the reaction are listed after the yields sign (→).

Front

How do you determine if a chemical equation is balanced?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. If they are equal, the equation is balanced.

Front

What does the coefficient in a chemical equation represent?

Back

The coefficient indicates the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in the reaction.

Front

In the equation 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃, how many aluminum atoms are present on the reactant side?

Back

There are 4 aluminum atoms on the reactant side.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the law of conservation of mass is followed, meaning that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Identify the number of atoms of each element present in the reactants and products.

Front

In the equation PCl₅ + ___ H₂O → ___ HCl + H₃PO₄, how many H₂O molecules are needed to balance the equation?

Back

4 H₂O molecules are needed.

Front

What is the significance of the yields sign (→) in a chemical equation?

Back

The yields sign indicates the direction of the reaction, separating reactants from products.

Front

What does it mean if an equation is not balanced?

Back

If an equation is not balanced, it means that the number of atoms of at least one element is different on the reactant and product sides, violating the conservation of mass.