Balancing Equations Practice

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A balanced chemical equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, following the law of conservation of mass.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A coefficient is a number placed in front of a chemical formula to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

What is a subscript in a chemical formula?

Back

A subscript is a small number written to the right of an element symbol that indicates the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

How do you balance the equation PCl5 + H2O → HCl + H3PO4?

Back

The balanced equation is PCl5 + 4 H2O → 5 HCl + H3PO4.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write down the number of atoms of each element present in the reactants and products.

Front

What does it mean to have a 'reactant' in a chemical equation?

Back

A reactant is a substance that undergoes a chemical change in a reaction, found on the left side of the equation.

Front

What does it mean to have a 'product' in a chemical equation?

Back

A product is a substance that is formed as a result of a chemical reaction, found on the right side of the equation.

Front

Balance the equation: CF4 + Br2 → CBr4 + F2.

Back

The balanced equation is 1 CF4 + 2 Br2 → 1 CBr4 + 2 F2.

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 identify the limiting reactant in a chemical reaction?

Back

The limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed first, limiting the amount of product formed.