Balancing Chemical Reactions

Front

What is a chemical reaction?

Back

A process in which substances (reactants) are transformed into different substances (products) through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical reaction?

Back

The starting materials that undergo change during a chemical reaction.

Front

What are products in a chemical reaction?

Back

The substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

In a chemical reaction, mass is neither created nor destroyed; it remains constant.

Front

How do you determine the total number of atoms in a compound?

Back

By adding the subscripts of each element in the chemical formula.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A number placed in front of a compound to indicate how many molecules or moles of that compound are involved in the reaction.

Front

How many atoms are in H₂SO₄?

Back

There are 7 atoms total: 2 Hydrogen, 1 Sulfur, and 4 Oxygen.

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 aluminum atoms are in the equation 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃?

Back

There are 4 aluminum atoms on each side of the equation.