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 an unbalanced equation?

Back

An unbalanced equation does not have the same number of each type of atom on both sides, meaning that mass is not conserved.

Front

How many hydrogen atoms are in NH3?

Back

There are 3 hydrogen atoms in NH3.

Front

How many phosphorus atoms are in PO4?

Back

There is 1 phosphorus atom in PO4.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write down the number of atoms of each element present in the reactants and products.

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

Balance the equation: 2Li + Cl2 → ?

Back

2Li + Cl2 → 2LiCl.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

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

Front

How do you determine if an 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 is the role of subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule.