balanced or unbalanced chemical 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 is an unbalanced chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

How can you tell if a chemical 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 are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed in front of compounds in a chemical equation to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

What are subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts are the small numbers written to the lower right of an element symbol in a chemical formula, indicating the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

The purpose is to ensure that the law of conservation of mass is followed, meaning that the same number of atoms of each element must be present before and after the reaction.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen to form nitric oxide?

Back

The balanced equation is N2 + 2O2 -> 2NO.

Front

What does the term 'reactants' refer to in a chemical equation?

Back

Reactants are the starting substances that undergo a chemical change in a reaction.

Front

What does the term 'products' refer to in a chemical equation?

Back

Products are the substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you balance the equation H2 + O2 -> H2O?

Back

The balanced equation is 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O.