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 the reaction.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Reactants are the 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

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 balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation, adjust the coefficients in front of the reactants and products to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides.

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.

Front

What is the significance of the yields sign (→) in a chemical equation?

Back

The yields sign indicates the direction of the reaction, separating reactants from products.

Front

How many atoms are in H₂SO₄?

Back

There are 7 atoms in H₂SO₄ (2 H, 1 S, 4 O).

Front

Balance the equation: C₃H₈ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

Back

1, 5, 3, 4 (C₃H₈ + 5 O₂ → 3 CO₂ + 4 H₂O).

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.