Balancing 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 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; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

How do you 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 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

What does it mean if an equation is unbalanced?

Back

An unbalanced equation does not have the same number of each type of atom on both sides, indicating that the reaction does not conserve mass.

Front

Balance the equation: C + O₂ --> CO₂.

Back

1 C + 1 O₂ --> 1 CO₂ (already balanced).

Front

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of propane (C₃H₈)?

Back

C₃H₈ + 5 O₂ --> 3 CO₂ + 4 H₂O.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of magnesium and hydrochloric acid?

Back

Mg + 2 HCl --> MgCl₂ + H₂.

Front

What is the mass of products if 8 grams of iron reacts with 5 grams of sulfur?

Back

The mass of products is equal to 13 grams (8g Fe + 5g S = 13g products).

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of phosphorus and oxygen?

Back

P₄ + 3 O₂ --> 2 P₂O₃.