Balancing Chemical Equations (Using PhET Animations

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, reflecting the conservation of mass.

Front

What does the law of conservation of mass state?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you determine the coefficients in a balanced equation?

Back

Coefficients are determined by adjusting the numbers in front of the compounds to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write down the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Front

Balance the equation: __CH₄ + __H₂O → __H₂ + __CO

Back

1, 1, 3, 1

Front

Balance the equation: __C + __H₂O → __CH₄ + __CO₂

Back

2, 2, 1, 1

Front

Balance the equation: __CO → __C + __CO₂

Back

2, 1, 1

Front

Balance the equation: __P₄ + __F₂ → __PF₃

Back

1, 6, 4

Front

Balance the equation: __NH₃ → __N₂ + __H₂

Back

2, 1, 3

Front

What is the significance of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients indicate the relative amounts of reactants and products involved in the reaction.