Chemical Equations

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What is a chemical reaction?

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A process where substances (reactants) transform into new substances (products) through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. Example: Sodium and chlorine atoms bond to form salt.

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What does the subscript in a chemical formula indicate?

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The number of atoms of the element in a molecule. For example, in H₂O, the '2' indicates there are two hydrogen atoms.

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What does the coefficient in a chemical formula indicate?

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The number of molecules or moles of a substance. For example, in 4NH₃, the '4' indicates there are four molecules of ammonia.

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Identify the reactants in a chemical equation.

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Reactants are the starting substances in a chemical reaction. For example, in the equation N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃, the reactants are N₂ and H₂.

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What are products in a chemical reaction?

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Products are the substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction. For example, in the equation N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃, the product is NH₃.

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What is the law of conservation of mass?

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

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What is a balanced chemical equation?

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A chemical equation where the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, ensuring the law of conservation of mass is followed.

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What is a reactant?

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A substance that undergoes change in a chemical reaction. For example, in the reaction 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, H₂ and O₂ are reactants.

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What is a product?

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A substance that is produced in a chemical reaction. For example, in the reaction 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, H₂O is the product.

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What does the number 3 represent in the formula 4NH₃?

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The number 3 is a subscript indicating there are three hydrogen atoms in each molecule of ammonia (NH₃).