Physical Science 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 do coefficients in a chemical equation represent?

Back

Coefficients represent the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you balance the equation: ____ Fe + ____ Cl2 → ____ FeCl3?

Back

The balanced equation is 2 Fe + 3 Cl2 → 2 FeCl3.

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; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

What is a reactant?

Back

A reactant is a substance that undergoes a chemical change in a reaction.

Front

What is a product in a chemical reaction?

Back

A product is a substance that is formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you balance the equation: ____ H2SO4 + ____ NaNO2 → ____ HNO2 + ____ Na2SO4?

Back

The balanced equation is 1 H2SO4 + 2 NaNO2 → 2 HNO2 + 1 Na2SO4.

Front

What is the role of subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule.

Front

What does it mean to say a reaction is 'stoichiometric'?

Back

A stoichiometric reaction is one where the reactants are present in the exact proportions required for the reaction to occur without any excess.

Front

What is the significance of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations is important because it reflects the conservation of mass and allows for the accurate calculation of reactants and products.