Intro to Balancing Equationa

What is the purpose of a chemical equation?

• To describe a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas

• To measure the temperature of a reaction

• To list all the elements in the periodic table

• To calculate the speed of a chemical reaction

What does the arrow in a chemical equation represent?

• The direction of the reaction, indicating reactants and products

• The end of a reaction

• The temperature change in a reaction

• The start of a reaction

When balancing equations, why should you start with elements other than hydrogen and oxygen?

• Because they are not important in reactions

• Because they are less reactive

• Because they are the heaviest elements

• Because they appear in many compounds and may balance themselves

What is a diatomic element?

• An element that is always solid

• An element that exists as a single atom

• An element that exists as a pair of atoms

• An element that is always liquid

Which of the following is a diatomic element?

• Chlorine

• Carbon

• Sodium

• Helium