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 balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation, adjust the coefficients in front of the compounds to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What does the coefficient in a chemical equation represent?

Back

The coefficient represents the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in the reaction.

Front

What is the significance of subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule; they cannot be changed when balancing equations.

Front

Balance the equation: Al + HCl → H2 + AlCl3

Back

2Al + 6HCl → 3H2 + 2AlCl3

Front

Which of the following is a balanced equation? PbO2 + 2H2, SO2 + H2O → H2SO4, 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2

Back

2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 is balanced.

Front

Is the equation balanced? 2H2O + O2 → 4MgO + 3Fe

Back

No, the equation is not balanced.

Front

Complete the equation: PCl5 + ___ H2O → ___ HCl + H3PO4

Back

PCl5 + 4H2O → 5HCl + H3PO4

Front

Balance the equation: Mg + ___ HCl → MgCl2 + H2

Back

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2