Chemical Reactions and Balancing Equations

The video tutorial explains how to balance the chemical equation for magnesium reacting with copper(II) sulfate (Mg + CuSO4). It begins by counting the atoms on each side of the equation, showing that there is one magnesium, one copper, one sulfur, and four oxygen atoms on both sides, indicating the equation is already balanced. The video highlights that this is a single displacement reaction where magnesium displaces copper. It also clarifies that if no number follows an element, it implies there is one atom of that element. The tutorial concludes with a summary of the balanced equation.

What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between magnesium and copper(II) sulfate?

• Mg + CuSO4 → MgSO4 + Cu

• Mg + CuSO4 → MgO + CuSO4

• Mg + CuSO4 → MgCu + SO4

• Mg + CuSO4 → MgCuSO4

How many oxygen atoms are present on each side of the balanced equation for Mg + CuSO4?

• Five

• Three

• Four

• Two

What type of reaction occurs when magnesium reacts with copper(II) sulfate?

• Double displacement

• Single displacement

• Decomposition

• Synthesis

In a single displacement reaction, what happens to the copper in copper(II) sulfate?

• It forms a new compound with magnesium.

• It remains bonded to sulfate.

• It is displaced and becomes a free element.

• It decomposes into simpler substances.

What does it mean if there is no subscript written after an element in a chemical formula?

• There is one atom of that element.

• There are two atoms of that element.

• The element is in excess.

• The element is not present.

What is the significance of the subscript '4' in the sulfate ion (SO4) in the chemical equation?

• It denotes the number of bonds in the sulfate ion.

• It represents the number of oxygen atoms in the sulfate ion.

• It shows the number of sulfate ions present.

• It indicates the charge of the sulfate ion.