Balancing Chemical 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 the reaction.

Front

What does the law of conservation of mass state?

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

How do you determine the number of molecules needed to balance an equation?

Back

You adjust the coefficients 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 a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write down the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Front

How do you balance the equation: H2 + Cl2 → HCl?

Back

You place a coefficient of 2 in front of HCl to balance the equation: H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl.

Front

What is the balanced form of the equation: HgO → Hg + O2?

Back

The balanced form is 2HgO → 2Hg + O2.

Front

How do you balance the equation: Mg + O2 → MgO?

Back

You place coefficients of 2 in front of Mg and MgO: 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO.

Front

What is the balanced form of the equation: SeCl6 + O2 → SeO2 + Cl2?

Back

The balanced form is SeCl6 + 3O2 → SeO2 + 6Cl2.

Front

What is the significance of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations is important because it reflects the conservation of mass and allows chemists to predict the amounts of reactants and products involved in a reaction.