Balancing chemical equations

Front

What is the Law of Conservation of Mass?

Back

The Law of Conservation of Mass states that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products.

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 a chemical equation.

Front

What are products in a chemical equation?

Back

Products are the substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction, found on the right side of a chemical equation.

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 of each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is balanced?

Back

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

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 difference between a balanced and unbalanced equation?

Back

A balanced equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides, while an unbalanced equation does not.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of hydrogen and chlorine to form hydrochloric acid?

Back

H2 + Cl2 -> 2HCl.

Front

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

Back

CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the Law of Conservation of Mass is upheld, showing that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.