Balancing Equations

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A chemical equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction, showing the reactants and products along with their quantities.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What are products in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is a subscript in a chemical formula?

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A subscript is a number written below and to the right of a chemical symbol that indicates the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

How do you balance a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean for a chemical equation to be balanced?

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A balanced chemical equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides, indicating that mass is conserved during the reaction.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

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

Front

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

Back

2 Al + 6 HCl → 3 H₂ + 2 AlCl₃.

Front

How many hydrogen atoms are in C₆H₁₂O₆?

Back

There are 12 hydrogen atoms in C₆H₁₂O₆.