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, reflecting the law of conservation of mass.

Front

What does the law of conservation of mass state?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Front

How do you determine the number of atoms in a molecule?

Back

Count the subscripts in the chemical formula; if there is no subscript, it is understood to be one.

Front

What is a reactant in a chemical equation?

Back

A reactant is a substance that undergoes a chemical change in a reaction.

Front

What is a product in a chemical equation?

Back

A product is a substance that is formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the significance of coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients indicate the number of molecules or moles of a substance involved in a reaction.

Front

What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?

Back

A physical change alters the form of a substance but not its chemical composition, while a chemical change results in the formation of new substances.

Front

How do you balance the equation Mg + O2 → MgO?

Back

Add the coefficient 2 before Mg on both sides to balance the equation: 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO.

Front

What is the total number of oxygen atoms in the equation CH3COOH + NaHCO3 → CH3COONa + H2O + CO2?

Back

There are 5 oxygen atoms on the reactant side.

Front

What is density?

Back

Density is the mass of a substance divided by its volume, often expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).