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 a chemical 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

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 in the reaction.

Front

How do you balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation, adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products until the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of calcium and water?

Back

The balanced equation is: @@ ext{Ca} + 2 ext{H}_2 ext{O} ightarrow ext{Ca(OH)}_2 + ext{H}_2@@.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of methane?

Back

The balanced equation is: @@ ext{CH}_4 + 2 ext{O}_2 ightarrow ext{CO}_2 + 2 ext{H}_2 ext{O}@@.

Front

What is the balanced equation for photosynthesis?

Back

The balanced equation is: @@6 ext{CO}_2 + 6 ext{H}_2 ext{O} ightarrow ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6 + 6 ext{O}_2@@.

Front

What does it mean if an equation is unbalanced?

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An unbalanced equation does not have the same number of atoms of each element on both sides, indicating that mass is not conserved.

Front

What is the significance of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations is crucial for accurately representing the quantities of reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of lead(IV) oxide and hydrogen?

Back

The balanced equation is: @@ ext{PbO}_2 + 2 ext{H}_2 ightarrow ext{Pb} + 2 ext{H}_2 ext{O}@@.