Chemical Reactions Practice Flashcard

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A balanced chemical equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during the reaction.

Front

What is the purpose of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are used to balance a chemical equation by indicating the number of molecules or moles of each reactant and product.

Front

What does the law of conservation of mass state?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; it is conserved.

Front

What is a reactant in a chemical reaction?

Back

A reactant is a substance that undergoes change during a chemical 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

What is the significance of subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule; they are not changed when balancing equations.

Front

What is combustion in terms of chemical reactions?

Back

Combustion is a chemical reaction that typically involves a substance reacting with oxygen to produce heat and light, often resulting in carbon dioxide and water.

Front

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

Back

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.

Front

What happens to atoms during a chemical reaction?

Back

Atoms are rearranged to form new substances; they are not created or destroyed.

Front

What is the difference between a chemical change and a physical change?

Back

A chemical change results in the formation of new substances, while a physical change does not alter the chemical composition of a substance.