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 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

How do you balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation, adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is equal 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 does it mean to 'balance' an equation?

Back

Balancing an equation means adjusting the coefficients so that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

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

Back

The balanced equation is: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.

Front

How many hydrogen atoms are in the balanced equation for the reaction of PCl₅ with H₂O?

Back

In the balanced equation PCl₅ + 4H₂O → 5HCl + H₃PO₄, there are 4 hydrogen atoms from H₂O.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of magnesium with hydrochloric acid?

Back

The balanced equation is: Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂.

Front

How many carbon atoms are in glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)?

Back

There are 6 carbon atoms in glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆).

Front

Which of the following is a balanced equation? PbO₂ + 2H₂ → ?

Back

The balanced equation is: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂.