Balancing Equations

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A balanced chemical equation has the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during the reaction.

Front

What are the two sides of a chemical equation called?

Back

Reactants (left) and Products (right).

Front

How do you balance a chemical equation?

Back

Adjust the coefficients in front of the reactants and products to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Front

In the equation Mg + 2 HCl → MgCl2 + H2, how many HCl molecules are needed?

Back

2 HCl molecules are needed.

Front

What is the coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A coefficient is a number placed in front of a chemical formula to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

How many atoms of carbon are in C6H12O6?

Back

There are 6 atoms of carbon in C6H12O6.

Front

What does it mean to 'balance' an equation?

Back

To balance an equation means to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

The purpose is to reflect the conservation of mass and to accurately represent the quantities of reactants and products.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Reactants are the starting substances that undergo a chemical change.