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 a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the purpose of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are used to balance chemical equations by indicating the number of molecules or moles of each reactant and product involved in the reaction.

Front

How do you determine 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 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; it is conserved.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

Identify the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products.

Front

Balance the equation: C + O₂ → CO₂

Back

1 C + 2 O₂ → 1 CO₂ (already balanced)

Front

What does it mean to balance an equation with respect to charge?

Back

Balancing an equation with respect to charge means ensuring that the total charge is the same on both sides of the equation, especially in redox reactions.

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

How do you balance polyatomic ions in a chemical equation?

Back

Treat polyatomic ions that appear unchanged on both sides of the equation as a single unit when balancing.

Front

What is the significance of the coefficients 2 and 3 in the equation 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O?

Back

The coefficients indicate that 2 molecules of hydrogen react with 1 molecule of oxygen to produce 2 molecules of water.