Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The process of ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What are reactants in a chemical equation?

Back

Substances that undergo a chemical change during a reaction, located on the left side of the equation.

Front

What are products in a chemical equation?

Back

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

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

The large number in front of a chemical formula that indicates how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

What is a subscript in a chemical formula?

Back

A small number written to the right of a chemical symbol that indicates the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

How do you balance the equation Al + O2 -> Al2O3?

Back

The balanced equation is 4Al + 3O2 -> 2Al2O3.

Front

What does the arrow in a chemical equation represent?

Back

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

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

In a chemical reaction, mass is neither created nor destroyed; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Front

What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

Back

To ensure that the same number of each type of atom is present on both sides of the equation, reflecting the conservation of mass.

Front

What is the difference between coefficients and subscripts?

Back

Coefficients indicate the number of molecules, while subscripts indicate the number of atoms in a molecule.