Balancing Chemical 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, 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

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed in front of compounds in a chemical equation to indicate how many molecules or moles of each substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

How do you determine the number of atoms in a compound?

Back

To determine the number of atoms in a compound, multiply the subscript of each element by the coefficient in front of the compound.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is already balanced?

Back

If a chemical equation is already balanced, it means that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation, and no further adjustments are needed.

Front

What is the significance of subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts in a chemical formula indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule; for example, in H2O, the '2' indicates there are two hydrogen atoms.

Front

How do you balance the equation Al + HCl -> H2 + AlCl3?

Back

To balance the equation, use coefficients: 2Al + 6HCl -> 3H2 + 2AlCl3.

Front

What is a reactant in a chemical reaction?

Back

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

Front

What is a product in a chemical reaction?

Back

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