Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations is a super important skill in chemistry. What is the main goal when balancing a chemical equation?

• To make sure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation

• To make the equation look neat

• To use as many elements as possible

• To change the products of the reaction

In the chemical equation 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O, what are the reactants?

• H2 and O2

• H2O and O2

• H2O and H2

• H2O only

What does the arrow in a chemical equation show?

• The direction of the reaction and how much of each substance is needed or produced in a reaction.

• The temperature at which the reaction occurs.

• The color change during the reaction.

• The speed of the reaction.

In the equation CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O, what is the stoichiometric coefficient of O2?

• 2

• 1

• 3

• 4

Explain the traditional method for balancing chemical equations as described in the passage.

• The traditional method involves trial and error to ensure the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation.

• The traditional method uses advanced mathematical algorithms to balance equations.

• The traditional method ignores the conservation of mass.

• The traditional method only balances equations for organic compounds.

What does balancing chemical equations ensure?

• The same number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation

• The use of only one type of atom

• The reaction happens faster

• The equation uses only symbols

Which method involves assigning variables to the stoichiometric coefficients and setting up a system of equations to solve for those variables?

• Traditional method

• Algebraic method

• Balancing by inspection

• Guess and check

Chemical equations use ______ and formulas to show chemical reactions, with reactants on the left and products on the right, indicating the reaction's direction.

• symbols

• numbers

• arrows

• letters

What are the substances that are initially involved in a chemical reaction and undergo change called?

• reactants

• products

• catalysts

• solvents

Match the vocabulary term to its correct definition:

• A technique for balancing chemical equations by assigning variables to the stoichiometric coefficients and solving a system of equations.

• The numbers placed in front of chemical formulas in a balanced equation to indicate the relative amounts of each substance involved in the reaction.

• The substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

• Representations of chemical reactions using symbols and formulas to show the rearrangement of atoms.

• The substances that are initially involved in a chemical reaction and undergo change.

• The substances that are initially involved in a chemical reaction and undergo change.

• The numbers placed in front of chemical formulas in a balanced equation to indicate the relative amounts of each substance involved in the reaction.

• A technique for balancing chemical equations by assigning variables to the stoichiometric coefficients and solving a system of equations.

• Representations of chemical reactions using symbols and formulas to show the rearrangement of atoms.

• The substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction.