PS Balancing Equations

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 atoms of that substance are involved in the reaction.

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, following the law of conservation of mass.

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

How do you balance the equation: N2 + H2 → NH3?

Back

The balanced equation is: 1 N2 + 3 H2 → 2 NH3.

Front

What are the coefficients for the equation: Ag2O → Ag + O2?

Back

The coefficients are 2, 4, 1.

Front

What is the total mass of reactants compared to products in a balanced equation?

Back

The total mass of the reactants is the same as the total mass of the products.

Front

How do you balance the equation: Al + HCl → H2 + AlCl3?

Back

The balanced equation is: 2 Al + 6 HCl → 3 H2 + 2 AlCl3.

Front

What does it mean if an equation is already balanced?

Back

If an equation is already balanced, it means that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation without needing any coefficients.

Front

How do you balance the equation: Mg + Cl2 → MgCl2?

Back

The equation is already balanced as written: 1 Mg + 1 Cl2 → 1 MgCl2.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to accurately represent the conservation of mass and the stoichiometry of the reaction.