Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

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

Front

How do you determine the number of atoms in a compound?

Back

Count the subscripts in the chemical formula. For example, in H2O, there are 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.

Front

What does a coefficient in a chemical equation represent?

Back

A coefficient indicates the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in the reaction.

Front

Balance the equation: _C + _O2 → _CO2

Back

1, 1, 1 (C + O2 → CO2) is balanced.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Identify the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Front

How many hydrogen atoms are in the balanced equation: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O?

Back

There are 4 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side and 4 on the product side, so it is balanced.

Front

What is the balanced form of the equation: _Fe + _O2 → _Fe2O3?

Back

4, 3, 2 (4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3) is balanced.

Front

What is the significance of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the same amount of each element is present before and after the reaction, reflecting the conservation of mass.

Front

Identify the balanced equation: 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2. Is it balanced?

Back

Yes, it is balanced because there are equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides.