Balancing Chemical Equations Flashcard

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 a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only change forms.

Front

How do you balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation, adjust the coefficients in front of the compounds to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

Balance the chemical equation: ___ N₂ + ___ H₂ → ___ NH₃

Back

1, 3, 2

Front

Balance the chemical equation: ___ MgF₂ + ___ Li₂CO₃ → ___ MgCO₃ + ___ LiF

Back

1, 1, 1, 2

Front

Balance the chemical equation: ___ CF₄ + ___ Br₂ → ___ CBr₄ + ___ F₂

Back

1, 2, 1, 2

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to ensure that the same number of atoms of each element are present on both sides of the equation, reflecting the conservation of mass.

Front

What does it mean if a chemical equation is unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced chemical equation does not have the same number of atoms of each element on both sides, which violates the law of conservation of mass.

Front

What is a reactant in a chemical reaction?

Back

A reactant is a substance that undergoes change during a chemical reaction, found on the left side of a chemical equation.