Balanced and Unbalanced Equations

Front

What is a balanced equation?

Back

A balanced equation has the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, meaning mass is conserved.

Front

What is an unbalanced equation?

Back

An unbalanced equation does not have the same number of each type of atom on both sides, indicating that mass is not conserved.

Front

How do you determine if an equation is balanced?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. If they are equal, the equation is balanced.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it only changes forms.

Front

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are numbers placed in front of compounds in a chemical equation to indicate how many molecules are involved.

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation means to adjust the coefficients so that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What is the significance of the subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule; they are fixed and cannot be changed when balancing equations.

Front

How many elements are in the compound H2O?

Back

There are 2 different elements in H2O: hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O).

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water?

Back

2H2 + O2 → 2H2O.

Front

What is the difference between reactants and products in a chemical equation?

Back

Reactants are the starting substances in a chemical reaction, while products are the substances formed as a result of the reaction.