Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced equation?

Back

A balanced 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

How do you determine if an equation is balanced?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. If they are equal, the equation is balanced.

Front

What does it mean if an equation is unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced equation has a different number of atoms of one or more elements on either side, indicating that mass is not conserved.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only change forms.

Front

How do you balance the equation Zn + HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂?

Back

The balanced equation is 1 Zn + 2 HCl → 1 ZnCl₂ + 1 H₂.

Front

What is the balanced form of P₄ + O₂ → P₂O₃?

Back

The balanced equation is 1 P₄ + 3 O₂ → 2 P₂O₃.

Front

What is the significance of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

How do you identify the number of oxygen atoms in a compound like 3Al(NO₃)₃?

Back

In 3Al(NO₃)₃, there are 3 x 3 = 9 oxygen atoms.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Identify and write down the number of atoms of each element present in the reactants and products.

Front

What is the role of subscripts in chemical formulas?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of an element in a molecule; they are fixed and cannot be changed when balancing equations.