Balancing Chemical Equations Concepts

What is the primary goal of balancing chemical equations?

• To change the elements involved

• To ensure the conservation of mass

• To make the equation look simpler

• To increase the reaction rate

What is the first step when balancing a chemical equation?

• Change the coefficients

• Count the atoms on each side

• Change the subscripts

• Add new elements

When balancing a chemical equation, what can be changed?

• Subscripts

• Elements

• Coefficients

• Atomic numbers

What part of a chemical formula should NOT be changed when balancing an equation?

• Coefficients

• Subscripts

• Reactants

• Products

In the chemical formula S8, how many sulfur atoms are present?

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 8

In the chemical formula SO2, how many oxygen atoms are present?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

If you have 8 sulfur atoms on the left side of an equation (S8), how many sulfur atoms should be on the right side (SO2) to balance the equation?

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 8

After placing a coefficient of 8 in front of SO2 (8SO2), how many oxygen atoms are now on the right side of the equation?

• 2

• 8

• 16

• 4

In the chemical formula H2O, how many hydrogen atoms are present?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

To balance the oxygen atoms in the equation H2 + O2 -> H2O, what coefficient should be placed in front of H2O?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4