Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A balanced chemical 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 does the coefficient in a chemical equation represent?

Back

The coefficient in a chemical equation represents the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in the reaction.

Front

How do you determine the coefficients needed to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To determine the coefficients, adjust the numbers in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only change forms.

Front

Balance the equation: C + O2 → CO2. What are the coefficients?

Back

1,1

Front

Balance the equation: H2 + O2 → H2O. What are the coefficients?

Back

2,1,2

Front

Balance the equation: Fe + O2 → Fe2O3. What are the coefficients?

Back

4,3,2

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

Balance the equation: Na + Cl2 → NaCl. What are the coefficients?

Back

2,1,2

Front

What is a skeleton equation?

Back

A skeleton equation is a chemical equation that shows the reactants and products but not the coefficients needed to balance it.