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

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed in front of compounds in a chemical equation to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

What are subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts are the small numbers written to the lower right of an element symbol in a chemical formula, indicating the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

How do you determine if an equation is unbalanced?

Back

An equation is unbalanced if the number of atoms of each element is not the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write down the number of atoms of each element present in the reactants and products.

Front

Balance the equation: H2 + O2 → H2O

Back

2H2 + O2 → 2H2O

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation means to adjust the coefficients so that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation.

Front

Identify the unbalanced equation: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O, H2 + Cl2 → HCl, C + O2 → CO2

Back

H2 + Cl2 → HCl

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

Balance the equation: Sb2S3 + O2 → Sb + SO2

Back

Sb2S3 + 3O2 → 2Sb + 3SO2