Balancing Chemical Equations (medium)

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A balanced chemical equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, following the law of conservation of mass.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed before compounds in a chemical equation to indicate the number of molecules or moles of that substance.

Front

How do you determine the coefficients needed to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation, adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products until the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Front

What is the significance of balancing chemical equations?

Back

Balancing chemical equations is crucial for accurately representing the quantities of reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction.

Front

What is a skeleton equation?

Back

A skeleton equation is a chemical equation that shows the reactants and products but not the coefficients needed to balance it.

Front

What is the role of subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between a reactant and a product?

Back

Reactants are substances that undergo a chemical change, while products are the substances formed as a result of that change.

Front

What is a combustion reaction?

Back

A combustion reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs when a substance combines with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of light and heat.