Balancing Chemical 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, following the Law of Conservation of Matter.

Front

What does the Law of Conservation of Matter state?

Back

A law stating that atoms are not created or destroyed during a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you determine if a chemical equation is balanced?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation and ensure they are equal.

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

Balance the equation: H₂ + O₂ → H₂O

Back

2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

To ensure that the same number of atoms of each element are present before and after the reaction, reflecting the conservation of mass.

Front

How many oxygen atoms are in 2H₂O?

Back

2 oxygen atoms.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Identify the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products.

Front

What does it mean if an equation is unbalanced?

Back

It means that the number of atoms of at least one element is different on the reactant side compared to the product side.

Front

Balance the equation: C₃H₈ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

Back

C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O