Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A chemical equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction, showing the reactants and products involved.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Reactants are the substances that undergo a chemical change in a reaction, located on the left side of the equation.

Front

What are products in a chemical equation?

Back

Products are the substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction, located on the right side of the equation.

Front

What does the arrow in a chemical equation represent?

Back

The arrow indicates the direction of the reaction, showing that reactants are transformed into products.

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; 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 to ensure the same number of each type of atom 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 the number of molecules or moles of that substance.

Front

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

Back

Mg + 2HCl -> MgCl2 + H2.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of aluminum?

Back

4Al + 3O2 -> 2Al2O3.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the formation of nitric oxide from nitrogen and oxygen?

Back

N2 + O2 -> 2NO.