Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A chemical equation is a way to represent a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas.

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

Balancing a chemical equation means making sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed in front of the compounds in a chemical equation to indicate how many molecules are involved.

Front

What are subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts are the small numbers written after an element symbol that indicate how many atoms of that element are in a molecule.

Front

What is the formula for water?

Back

The formula for water is H₂O.

Front

What is the formula for carbon dioxide?

Back

The formula for carbon dioxide is CO₂.

Front

How many oxygen atoms are in one molecule of carbon dioxide?

Back

There are 2 oxygen atoms in one molecule of carbon dioxide.

Front

What is the difference between an element and a compound?

Back

An element is a pure substance made of only one type of atom, while a compound is made of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together.

Front

What does the equation 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O represent?

Back

This equation represents the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to obey the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed.