Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The process of ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of a chemical equation.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Substances that undergo a chemical change in 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 is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

In a chemical reaction, mass is neither created nor destroyed; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

What type of reaction is represented by the equation: A + B → AB?

Back

Synthesis reaction, where two or more reactants combine to form a single product.

Front

What type of reaction is represented by the equation: AB → A + B?

Back

Decomposition reaction, where a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler products.

Front

What type of reaction is represented by the equation: A + BC → AC + B?

Back

Single replacement reaction, where one element replaces another in a compound.

Front

What type of reaction is represented by the equation: AB + CD → AD + CB?

Back

Double replacement reaction, where the components of two compounds exchange places.

Front

How do you determine the number of atoms in a molecule?

Back

By adding the subscripts in the chemical formula; if no subscript is present, it is assumed to be one.