Balancing Equations

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

The purpose is to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation, adhering to the law of conservation of mass.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Reactants are the starting 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

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

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 yields sign (→) indicate in a chemical equation?

Back

The yields sign indicates the direction of the reaction, showing that reactants are transformed into products.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of calcium and water?

Back

Ca + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2 + H2.

Front

What is the significance of subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule; for example, in H2O, the '2' indicates there are two hydrogen atoms.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of methane (CH4)?

Back

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O.

Front

What is the name of the compound CaCl2?

Back

Calcium chloride.