Balancing Equations and Predicting Products

Front

What is a balanced equation?

Back

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

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

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 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?

Back

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

What is a synthesis reaction?

Back

A synthesis reaction is a type of chemical reaction where two or more simple substances combine to form a more complex product.

Front

What is a decomposition reaction?

Back

A decomposition reaction is a type of chemical reaction where a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler products.

Front

What is a single replacement reaction?

Back

A single replacement reaction is a type of reaction where one element replaces another element in a compound.

Front

What is a double replacement reaction?

Back

A double replacement reaction is a type of reaction where the anions and cations of two different compounds switch places, forming two new compounds.

Front

How do you predict the products of a reaction?

Back

To predict the products of a reaction, identify the reactants and the type of reaction, then apply the rules for that reaction type.

Front

What is the product of the reaction between potassium (K) and hydrochloric acid (HCl)?

Back

The product is potassium chloride (KCl) and hydrogen gas (H2).